Linda Featherston

Linda Featherston was born in Topeka, Kansas. She earned a high school diploma from Topeka High School. Featherston earned a bachelor's and master's degree from Kansas State University in 1993 and 1997, respectively. Her career experience includes working as an independent piano teacher and owning and operating an independent piano studio. Featherston is affiliated with the Kansas City Music Teachers Association, Kansas Music Teachers Association, and Greater Kansas Women's Political Caucus.[1][2][3]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Linda is a lifelong Kansan, residing in Johnson county since 1999. A child of retired Kansas state employees, Linda attended Kansas public schools from kindergarten through graduate school. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in Music History. She and her husband, Bill, chose to educate their own children through Kansas public schools as well. She is proud to be the mother of a teacher and a recent law school graduate.

While owning and operating a successful independent piano studio since 1992, Linda has also been an active volunteer within her profession and in her community including: Kansas Music Teachers Association, Kansas City Music Teachers Association, Sunset Community Garden, Be SMART, Moms Demand Action, Girl Scouts, Shawnee Mission School District, and her church.

Linda was first elected in 2020. She serves on the Agriculture, Education, Local Government, and Water Committees. She is proud to have passed legislation allowing judges to issue longer orders of protection for survivors of abuse and human trafficking. She was the driving force behind expanding access to diagnostic mammograms and other diagnostic breast imaging I 2024.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I will work to fully fund public schools, including special education, and to support our teachers.I will continue to advocate for bringing Kansans' tax dollars home by expanding Medicaid.I will work to pass common sense budgets and tax policies that benefit all Kansans while maintaining a stable budget.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public education, public safety, Medicaid expansion, and children's issues.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, thoughtfulness, and transparency

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My experience as a small business owner and teacher has honed my listening and communication skills. Additionally, I am an avid reader and consumer of the news. It is in my nature to try to see both sides of an issue and thoughtfully consider those sides.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event I recall is my mom taking my sister and I to see President Ford's motorcade pass through Topeka.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first jobs included: babysitting, keeping score for softball and basketball, and working at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. I held the first three for a few years each. I worked at the library for eight years during high school, college and afterwards.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Out greatest challenge in the Kansas Legislature is the extremist leadership. They do not represent the values of the vast majority of Kansans, yet they control the legislative agenda. I firmly believe that if we can break the supermajority in 2024, everyone would be forced to take one big step towards the middle which is where most Kansans are ideologically.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely! The more legislators communicate with and get to know each other, the more we can find common ground. This common ground is where solid legislative policy is made.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Some of the most impactful stories I've heard included: a mother who was afraid to take her children to public events due to Kansas' weak gun laws, a husband who was afraid he wouldn't be able to save his wife's life if she experienced pregnancy complications, and a breast cancer survivor who was advocating for expanded access to diagnostic imaging after her life was saved by a sonogram.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I plan to re-introduce legislation shifting the cost of diagnostic mammograms and other breast imaging for all Kansans in the 2025 session. I also plan to re-introduce legislation requiring that weapons be securely stored.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Education First Shawnee Mission, Equality Kansas, Freedom to Learn, Game on for Kansas Schools, Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO, Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council, KC Biz PAC, Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas National Education Association, MainPAC, Stand Up Blue Valley, among others.

What committees interest you?

Education, Education Budget, Agriculture, Local Government, Water, Federal and State Affairs,

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Elected officials must be accountable to the public in both their votes and their use of taxpayer dollars.

Since I was first elected, I have issued a weekly newsletter during the legislative session that details every vote I take in committee and on the House floor. I work hard to explain to legislation in laymen's terms so that my constituents understand the bills.

I have been a consistent advocate of keeping public dollars in public schools, as opposed to sending public dollars to unaccountable private schools.

Linda Featherston did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Linda is a lifelong Kansan, residing in Johnson County for the past 21 years. A child retired Kansas state employees, Linda attended Kansas public schools from kindergarten through graduate schools. She and her husband, Bill, chose to educate their own two children through Kansas public schools as well.

While owning and operating a successful independent piano studio for twenty-seven years, Linda also finds time to volunteer within her profession and across her community. She currently serves on the boards of the Kansas Music Teachers Association and the Kansas City Music Teachers Association. Linda served as president of KMTA for three years and has served as treasurer for KCMTA for nine years. She actively volunteers in the WIC garden, at her church, and for Moms Demand Action.

Linda led a Girl Scout troop for 10 years and volunteered in the Shawnee Mission Schools for fourteen years. During this time, she had the opportunity to serve Harvesters, Hope Chest Food Pantry and the Ronald McDonald House.

While she may be new to candidacy herself, Linda is no political novice. She was a key volunteer on Rep. Cindy Holscher's successful campaigns, and has canvassed the 16th House District numerous times.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I will work to fully fund our public schools and support our teachers.I will continue to advocate for Medicaid expansion in Kansas. Kansas has lost over $4 billion by not expanding Medicaid, and we cannot afford to lose anymore.I will work to pass common sense budgets. We simply cannot be drug back to the Brownback tax disaster.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about our public schools, Medicaid expansion and children's issues.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The most important characteristic in an elected official is integrity. Constituents need to be able to trust their representatives to advocate for policies that best serve their district. Another important characteristic is a desire to serve others. Serving in public office should be rooted in a spirit of community service.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My job as a musician and teacher helps me to be a skilled listener and communicator. I assess nearly all of my students' work by listening. I work with students of all ages and abilities and must find a way to reach each one individually. I've worked with hundreds of parents over the years and have found ways to communicate effectively with them about their child's progress, my expectations and their concerns. The legislature could certainly use people with excellent listening and communication skills.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event I remember is when President Ford came to Topeka. My mom took my sister and I to see the motorcade process through town.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first real job was shelving books at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. I held that job for six years while I was in high school and college, and moved to a position in technical services for two years after graduating from college. As an avid reader, working at the library was a dream job for me.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

State legislators should be well versed in the issues that impact their constituents. I believe my experience as a lifelong Kansan, small business owner and teacher will give me a unique perspective into the issues that face everyday Kansans.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

It is absolutely essential to build relationships with other legislators. We all bring unique perspectives and experiences to the state house. By working with others, we can find solutions to the issues facing Kansas that benefit everyone.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I favor a fair redistricting that ends political manipulation and gerrymandering. Politicians shouldn't pick their voters, voters should pick their representatives.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I would enjoy serving on the K-12 education committee, the committee on federal and state affairs, the arts and cultural resources committee, and the transportation committee.