Kimberly Michelle Hardy

Kimberly Hardy is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina’s 7th Congressional District, appearing on the November 3, 2026 general‑election ballot. In addition to her campaign, she serves as an associate professor of social work at Fayetteville State University and holds the position of Second Vice Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party.⁷¹⁹

Hardy was raised in a middle‑class family in eastern North Carolina. Her father, a Marine Corps veteran, and her mother, a former Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of the Interior and State Department, instilled a strong sense of public service. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Morgan State University in 1997, a Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from Morgan State University.⁷⁸

After working as a school social worker, Hardy entered academia, holding assistant professor positions at the University of Connecticut (2010‑2013) and the University of Saint Joseph (2013‑2016) before joining Fayetteville State University in 2016, where she mentors students from the district and focuses on student economic mobility.¹⁷

Hardy’s political experience began with her 2020 campaign for North Carolina House District 43, where she won the Democratic primary but was narrowly defeated by Republican incumbent Diane Wheatley in the general election. She ran again in the 2022 Democratic primary for the same seat, losing to former incumbent Elmer Floyd.¹⁵

Beyond electoral runs, Hardy has held leadership roles within the state Democratic Party, serving as President of the Democratic Women of Cumberland County, Second Vice President of the Democratic Women of North Carolina, and, since 2023, Second Vice Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party. She also served on the board of Lillian’s List and chaired the Sweet Tea Shakespeare Theatre Company, reflecting deep community involvement.⁷¹⁹

Hardy’s campaign platform emphasizes affordable health care and prescription drugs, protection of Social Security and Medicare, support for small businesses and workers, and investment in public education and job‑training programs. She positions herself as a “people‑first” candidate who will bring accountability and independent judgment to Congress, contrasting herself with incumbent Rep. David Rouzer, who has held the seat since 2015.⁶⁵¹⁹

If elected, Hardy says she will work to lower the cost of groceries, housing, utilities, and health care for families in southeastern North Carolina, while advocating for policies that strengthen rural economies and expand opportunities for working‑class residents.⁶⁵

Sources