Representative Barbara Ballard Contact information

Barbara W. Ballard was born on November 14, 1944, in Petersburg, Virginia. She is a Democratic member of the Kansas House of Representatives, representing the 44th district. She has been serving since 1993.

Before her election to the House, Ballard served on the Lawrence School Board from 1985 to 1993. She is also the treasurer of the Kansas African American Legislative Caucus.

Ballard earned a bachelor’s degree from Webster College in 1967, a Master of Science in 1976, and a doctorate in 1980, both from Kansas State University. She worked as an elementary school teacher, and from 1980 until 2004, she was the dean of students at the University of Kansas as well as the director of the Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center.

Currently, she is the associate director of Civic Engagement & Outreach for the Dole Institute of Politics. Ballard is also the chairwoman of the House Democratic Caucus.

During the Legislative Sessions of 2013–2014, Rep. Ballard served on the following legislative committees: Appropriations, Calendar and Printing (Ranking minority member), Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and community Based Services and KanCare Oversight, Social Services Budget (Ranking minority member).

During the Legislative Sessions of 2021–2022, Rep. Ballard served on the following legislative committees: Social Services Budget (Ranking minority member), Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight, 2022 Special Committee on Intellectual and Developmental Disability Waiver Modernization, Redistricting, Transportation, Interstate Cooperation, 2020 Special Committee on Kansas Mental Health Modernization and Reform, Appropriations, 2021 Special Committee on Kansas Mental Health Modernization and Reform, 2021 Special Committee on Home and Community Based Services Intellectual and Developmental Disability Waiver.