Oletha Faust-Goudeau

Oletha A. Goudeau (August 5, 1959) is a Democratic member of the Kansas Senate, representing the 29th district (central/northeast Wichita) since 2009—the first African-American woman in the Kansas Senate. Most recently, she is the Senate Assistant Minority Leader.

She was previously a Kansas Representative, serving from her appointment in 2004 until 2009.

She is a community activist from Wichita.

Early life and education Born August 5, 1959 in Wichita, Kansas, and became a photographer and community activist. She is currently Senate Assistant Minority Leader. and 2020, when she received 71.1% of the vote.

Her 29th Senate district—predominantly inner-city central/north-central and northeast Wichita—includes most of the minority neighborhoods—and the city's poorest people, along with its richest.

Positions Faust-Goudeau characterizes herself as a "Republicrat," representing her district's voters regardless of party. —including children in state custody —and in promoting business/development interests. Some legislation which Faust-Goudeau introduced, which became law:

"Grandparents' rights" bills, three of which she introduced, became law in 2006-2012—latest became law in 2012 with unanimous Legislative backing—essentially forcing the State and the courts to consider grandparents' for possible custody requests in most child-custody cases in which the State has intervened (e.g.: foster care cases). Prior laws she introduced required grandparents to be heard in foster-care cases, and—if caring for their grandchildren as foster parents—to be reimbursed by the state the same as foster parents. Firefighters' insurance bill — became law in 2012 with unanimous Legislative backing—ensuring that the families of firefighters killed in action are able to continue receiving protection under their firefighter's insurance coverage for the first 18 months following their firefighter's death in the line of duty. In 2023, she fought, successfully, against a bill that would have made Kansas the fourth state in the nation to withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from a parent owing child support. Suspended and revoked drivers licenses: In the mid-2020s, Fast-Goudeau argued that the suspension or revocation of drivers' licenses, for failure to pay traffic fines, created a "death spiral" for those too poor to pay fines on time -- resulting in unemployment and deteriorating ability to pay, with no way out. Accordingly, she successfully pushed a series of bills granting restricted drivers' licenses for such drivers, to allow them to drive to work and other basically essential functions, while making fine payments. The last bill, SB 500, garnered rare, nearly unanimous votes in the legislature. Homeless veterans' assistance: In 2025-2026, Faust proposed allowing homeless veterans the opportunity to replace lost identification documents, at no cost. The measure became law.

Sedgwick County Commission candidacy In 2010, Faust-Goudeau was the Democratic Party nominee for County Commissioner for the Sedgwick County 1st District.