(Updated to include more reaction from governor and lawmakers, recasts lead with edits throughout)
Democratic state Rep. Gail Finney of Wichita, described as a ‘warrior’ committed to her community, passed away early Saturday morning. She was 63.
Wichita’s Community Voice first reported Saturday morning that Finney passed away after suffering from health issues in recent years that led to her getting a kidney transplant.
“Sadly, sharing the news of the unexpected death of Ks Rep Gail Finney early this morning,” the Community Voice posted on Facebook on Saturday morning.
“Please pray for Jerrold and her family. In June, after she announced her retirement, I told Gail we needed to plan a community celebration of her service. I never expected the celebration would be her home going service.”
Sympathies were already starting to pour in Saturday morning, remembering Finney for her work ethic and her devotion to the community she represented.
“Kansas lost a warrior today,” Gov. Laura Kelly tweeted Saturday morning.
“No one fought harder for her constituents, for her community, for justice and equity.”
House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer called Finney a “shining example of a public servant” and reflected on her toughness fighting through her health issues.
“Her ongoing work to ensure her community’s proper representation in Topeka reflected an admirable commitment to her neighbors and community,” Sawyer said in a statement.
“Rep. Finney was a real fighter, having continued to serve in her official legislative capacity even while she was recovering from a major surgery,” Sawyer said.
“Her love for Wichita knew no bounds.”
Kansas Treasurer Lynn Rogers also was saddened by Finney’s death.
“This is a deeply felt loss,” said Rogers, a former Democratic lawmaker from Wichita.
“Prayers for her family and our love to all those whose lives Gail touched with her service and kindness. We will miss her dearly,” Rogers posted on Facebook.
Kansas Democratic Party Chair Vicki Hiatt expressed sadness over Finney’s death.
“Our hearts are heavy today upon learning of the passing of a dear friend and committed public servant,” Hiatt said in a statement.
“We mourn her passing, we celebrate her life and her commitment to her community, and we are thinking of her family and friends at this time,” Hiatt said.
Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes also extended sympathies from Senate Democrats.
“Many of our members served with Gail in the House, where she championed her community and stood up for those too often overlooked in the legislative process,” Sykes said in a statement.
“She was a wonderful colleague to all, a cherished friend to many, and an incomparable advocate for our state.”
House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. praised Finney’s work for her constituents.
“Gail worked tirelessly for her Wichita community at the statehouse for over a decade. She will be missed,” Ryckman said.
Finney had announced earlier this year that she was not seeking reelection after serving seven terms in the Kansas House representing District 84.
Earlier this year, the Community Voice wrote about a kidney transplant that Finney received at the beginning of the year after being on the transplant list for three years.
Finney told the Community Voice’s editor, Bonita Gooch, that she had been battling health issues since 2004, when she experienced complications from lupus.
In December 2018, Finney survived a heart attack, but her kidneys struggled to function and she was placed on a transplant list.
During the last couple years in the statehouse, Finney led efforts to get a bill approved requiring Evergy to do more to make the public aware of its plans to install “urban electric transmission lines” in Wichita.
The bill came in response to a storm of controversy that stemmed from the installation of 105-foot towers in the front yards of low-income residents in northeast Wichita.
Finney not so affectionately referred to the poles on Twitter as “big a** poles.”
The bill required utility companies to provide the city of Wichita advance notice of their intention to install the transmission lines with preliminary plans including the locations and dimensions of equipment to be installed.
The utility company also would be required to hold an open house so affected homeowners and tenants could comment on the project.
The bill was approved unanimously in the Senate and 122-2 in the House and was signed into law by the governor.
Finney was a 1977 graduate of Southeast High School in Wichita, earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Wichita State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Friends University.
