State Rep. Gail Finney remembered as a ‘real fighter’ for northeast Wichita district
Longtime Kansas state Rep. Gail Finney was remembered by her colleagues Saturday as a fighter for African Americans, the marginalized and northeast Wichita.
Rep. Finney, who served in the Kansas Legislature since 2009, passed away Saturday at age 63, the Sedgwick County Democratic Party announced. She represented District 84 of Wichita in the Kansas Statehouse, which includes a predominantly African American section of northeast Wichita and much of College Hill.
Rep. Finney was not seeking re-election and her term would have ended at the start of the next legislative session in January. She had long suffered from the autoimmune disease Lupus and was an early and vocal supporter of medical marijuana reform.
She didn’t get that passed, but was successful in shepherding laws addressing mammoth power poles placed in low-income neighborhoods and making it easier for suspended drivers who can’t afford high traffic fines to get their licenses back.
Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau said she has known Rep. Finney since seventh grade. The two attended Allison Jr. High School, now known as Allison Middle School in Wichita.
“We were the first black cheerleaders at Allison Jr. High School. I’ve known her that long,” Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, told The Eagle.
She spoke fondly of her friend’s work in the Statehouse for residents of their districts, which overlap.
“Our goal in the Kansas Legislature together was to try and change conditions for zip code 67214 (northeast Wichita) to make life better for residents in the inner city parts of Wichita,” Faust-Goudeau said. “ Rep. Gail Finney was really one of the only people that really understood my desire to help make things better because she had the same desire. Rep. Finney was brave and bold enough to go up against Evergy regarding the utility poles.”
Gov. Laura Kelly has directed flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Rep. Finney.
“Kansas lost a warrior today,” the governor said in a written statement. “No one fought harder for her constituents, for her community, for justice and equity than representative Gail Finney. My thoughts are with Rep. Finney’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer said in a statement that “Rep. Gail Finney was a shining example of a public servant. Her ongoing work to ensure her community’s prosper representation Topeka reflected an admirable commitment to her neighbors and community.”
“Rep. Finney was a real fighter, having continued to serve in her official legislative capacity even while recovering from a major surgery. Her love for Wichita knew no bounds. I was honored to have served alongside her. It has been such a privilege.”
Faust-Goudeau says she last saw Rep. Finney on July 29.
“We wished each other a happy birthday, we talked about legislation and we shared laughter,” she said. “This is a great loss for the state of Kansas, the City of Wichita and just around the Midwest country.”
Another one of Rep. Finney’s colleagues, Republican Rep. Nick Hoheisel, says Finney was “passionate about her district and fought for her district every day.”
Hoheisel worked closely with her on suspended license reforms.
“That was something that she was really passionate about,” he said. “Her and I worked together in a bipartisan manner last session, and we got some of those suspended driver’s license reforms passed.”
“Gail really believed in setting politics aside to do what’s best for Kansas. Her presence and willingness to work together will definitely be missed in the Kansas legislature.”
Rep. Stephanie Byers, a Democrat from the 86th district, which adjoins Rep. Finney’s, also spoke about her commitment to bettering the lives of those in her community.
“She was committed to properly recognizing the diversity we have in our lives, making sure that those who are marginalized were truly supported in every aspect of their lives, including representation in the Statehouse,” Byers said. “Her loss will be tremendously felt, you know, even though she wasn’t running or re-election, the impact she has had, carries on.”
This story was originally published August 20, 2022 at 3:13 PM.