Kim grew up in Klamath Falls, raised by two public school teachers. She graduated from Willamette University where she earned both a bachelor's degree in political science and her law degree. She and her husband Jim moved to Medford in 1986 to pursue their legal careers.

 

In the ensuing decades, Kim dedicated her time to raising their family and volunteering for local organizations like 4-H, AAU, Parent-Teacher Organizations, and Habitat for Humanity. 

Kim was elected to the Medford School Board in 2011 and to the Medford City Council in 2016. She was then elected to the State Legislature in 2018. Her legal background has been instrumental in crafting policy at both the city and state level that addresses the root cause of serious problems and avoids unintended consequences. 

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Since 2019, Kim has introduced and helped pass several bills aimed at bringing down the cost of prescription medication, improving coordination between fire management agencies, and giving law enforcement the tools they need to clean up illegal cannabis grows. She was proud to join a bipartisan group of legislators who, in early 2024, enacted sweeping Measure 110 reform to restore health and safety to our state while improving access to and utilization of addiction treatment.

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During her tenure in Salem, she has gained crucial experience serving on many committees and workgroups addressing a wide array of policy issues, including: 

Judiciary (Vice Chair)

Joint Committee on Semiconductors (Co Vice Chair)
Veterans & Emergency Preparedness 
Joint Emergency Board
Education

Rules

Economic Development

Legislative Counsel

Veterans' Issues Workgroup (Chair)
Government Effectiveness & Oversight Workgroup
Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Workgroup
Oregon Sunshine Committee 
Oregon Laws Commission
Transparency Oregon Task Force