Elections 2014 Just another Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage site
Republican – Legislative District 5 Senate
Phone: (928) 486-4220
Email: electkelliward@gmail.com
Website: www.drkelliward.com
Facebook: Kelli Ward
Twitter: @KelliWardAZ
Address: 3619 Desert Rose Ln, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404
Age: 45. (01/25/69, Fairmont, WV).
Arizona since: 1999
Occupation: Physician since 1999; currently with AZ Emergency Medicine Specialists since 2009; adjunct associate professor, A.T. Still University, since 2009; clinical faculty, Midwestern University AZ College of Osteopathic Medicine, since 1999; small business owner and physician, Lakeview Family Health Care, 1999-2009, Synergy Medical Spa, 2005-14; regional medical director and physician, North Country Community Health Care, 2009-11; director of medical education, Kingman Regional Medical Center, 2007-13.
Marital: Married
Children: 3
Education: M.P.H., emphasis in health policy, A.T. Still School of Health Management, 2005; D.O., West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, 1996; B.S., psychology, Duke University, 1991.
Political experience: Precinct committeeman; assisted with mayoral campaigns in LHC.
Legis exp: Senate since 2013.
Interests: Enjoy political debate, travel, having fun with my family, teaching, reading, writing, outdoor activities, singing, acting, musical theater, karaoke, and exercise.
Two biggest issues: Strengthening jobs and the Arizona economy. I will work with public and private entities to bring high-paying jobs to our state and LD-5. I will look for ways to decrease the regulatory burdens that government places on businesses so they can thrive. I will look for ways to make our tax structure appealing to small and large businesses. Protecting the health and wealth of the people of Arizona. As a practicing physician, I offer a unique perspective on health, health care reform, and health policy. With the massive expansion of Medicaid, we must be ever vigilant as to how to best serve the truly poor and disabled while protecting the dollars of the hard-working taxpayers. I will lend a voice of sanity to both sides of the issue. While many offer “solutions” to our health care dilemma, if those solutions do not come with a way to pay for themselves, they are nothing more than ideas. Inviting more federal overreach into Arizona is not a good idea. I will seek free market solutions.
Budget priorities: I look for ways to cut spending and decrease the size of government while keeping taxes low. Arizona’s priorities have been education, health care, child welfare, and public safety. These will continue to be big money items and important issues in the state. While we are out of session, I am researching the baseline budget to determine if there are places where it can be cut. The Legislature and the executive branch rarely look for ways to cut the baseline, and I believe we should. For example, I will look for duplicative services, boards and commissions that are redundant, and review reports that are required, but often never read. Government in Arizona can be streamlined and the budget is a great place to start.
Fiscal philosophy: I am fiscally conservative.
Common Core: I believe that education should be local and we should seek ways to empower parents, communities, and local school boards to provide excellent education for the children of Arizona. I believe that the Common Core State Standards (now called the AZ College and Career Ready Standards) are an example of federal overreach that must be contained. While we all want high standards for our students, we should not rely on a system that has not been tested. We have no Arizona evidence as to what markers of student success that CCSS will provide. We have no evidence as to how effective testing such as the PARCC test will be in student outcomes or teacher preparedness. We have seen massive failures of this system in states such as New York. It is irresponsible for me, as a state senator, to sign a blank check when I have no idea what is being bought with the taxpayer money that makes that check good. The nationalizing of our education system is unconstitutional and wrong.
Gifts to elected officials: Personally, I believe there is too much money in politics all together; however, I also strongly believe in our First Amendment right to free speech, so I don’t want the government to stifle that. I have faced this “gift ban” in the medical profession as well and, frankly, it is somewhat offensive. To believe that votes can be bought for a “gift” of a ticket to a ballgame or a meal at a restaurant, or that I don’t have the medical knowledge to determine what medication is best for my patient because I received a pen or a pad of paper with a competitor’s name on it is absurd. I believe there are better places to fight corruption – for example, looking at huge campaign contributions after certain votes have been made. Financially rewarding those who make votes that benefit someone other than our constituents must stop. Money is powerful in the political game – I believe the antidote is electing people with high ethical and moral standards and then holding their feet to the fire.
Transparency in government: I believe transparency is very important. Elected officials must remember that they work for the people who elected them, not the other way around. The more informed the electorate, the better government we will have.
Pro-life / pro-choice: I am pro-life.
Public policy advice: I have created a network of experts in many fields from within LD5 as well as throughout the state and around the country. I look for those in my district first, when possible, and expand my search for information from there. The people on my team include economists, medical professionals, realtors, bankers, professors, teachers, politicos, and everyone in between. I have participated in many regional and national workshops since being elected in 2012, which have given me the opportunity to connect with other state legislators and political leaders who have faced policy decisions similar to those we face in the Arizona Legislature. I have a great relationship with my U.S. Congressman and can call on him and his staff to assist with issues that cross the state/federal boundary. I realize that as an elected official, I am not an expert in everything – I have areas of expertise, but understand and embrace the fact that I must rely on others as well. This is government of, for, and by the people.
