Two Wichita educators seek positions in Legislature

Two Wichita public school educators are seeking positions in the Kansas Legislature.

House District 105

Wichita Northwest High School para educator Cammie Funston, 64, a Wichita Democrat, has filed to run for state representative in the District 105, which covers part of west Wichita and the township of Delano. The seat is now held by Rep. Mark Hutton, R-Wichita, who is not seeking re-election.

Former state Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Republican, also seeks the seat.

Funston said her main focuses are education and Medicaid. She said she wants to find ways to “adequately fund Kansas schools.”

“I am running because I’m concerned about the direction we are going in the state of Kansas, particularly budget cuts to education and to Medicaid, and as an educator, I am wanting to try and change that and make a difference,” she said.

Funston will retire Wednesday after 21 years in Wichita public schools.

Senate District 16

Wichita West High School English teacher Gabriel Costilla, 27, a Derby Democrat, has filed to run for state Senate in the District 16, which covers parts of Butler and Sedgwick counties.

The seat is held by Republican Sen. Ty Masterson, the Senate’s budget chairman, who is running for re-election. Republican Troy Tabor, an Andover City Council member, also seeks the seat.

Costilla said he wants to improve education and expand Medicaid.

“As a teacher and as a father, I think it’s time for our legislators to really be listening to the people that they’re supposed to be representing, as opposed to big business and wealthy elites that don’t affect me,” Costilla said.

Marci Fugarino had filed for the seat, but she said she withdrew to pursue a business opportunity.

The deadline to file for office is noon Wednesday.

This story was originally published May 31, 2016 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Two Wichita educators seek positions in Legislature."