About Lynnette Krieger-Zook
I have lived in Buhler with my husband, David, for over 30 years. As a working mother I learned how to balance family, work and community involvement. My 4 grown children are actively involved with their families including 4 grandchildren.
I grew up in Denver in a working class family and neighborhood. I learned the value of hard work and being part of a community that engaged and played together.
A single mother for 8 years,I learned the difficulty of making a paycheck to cover rent and utilities and eating day care left overs. With a limited income while employed full time, we relied on state assistance for child care and dental care. These lived experiences are the foundation for why I will fight for the people in my community.
Experience
As a retired special education teacher, I have made my passion for education and children my career for 40 years. I received my Masters of Arts in Teaching from Friends University. I have taught at Early Education Center, USD 308, and Head Start.
Elected as Hutchinson NEA president in 2020, I have tirelessly advocated for educators and good working environments, which in turn creates a strong education for all our students.
In my time as president, we have negotiated competitive wages for educators in the classroom and collaboratively worked with the school district to continue education excellence in every classroom.
As one of the founding members of Wichita Friends School, I served 3 terms as Board President. An independent school on the west side of Wichita, WFS continues to serve students from preschool to elementary.
As a community advocate, I currently serve as Vice President of Reno County Aging Council, am a member of Buhler and Hutchinson Chambers, and serve on the Hutchinson Community Foundation Strategic Grant Committee. I was nominated and engaged in the Leadership Reno County (2023) and Reno County Transformational Housing Cohort. (2025)
The road from Republican to Democrat
My family roots in the Kansas Republican party start with my great great grandfather, John M Newlin, an elected KS State Representative (1909-1915) from Lawrence. He identified with the Republican anti-slavery stand which resonated with our Quaker roots. Reared in the Quaker faith I continue to embrace the belief that all people are equal in the sight of God.
I registered to vote at 18 as a Republican. For many years I used my vote for moderate Republicans in the primaries, working on local campaigns for Representative Becker and Senator Berger. When they lost, I became disheartened when my newly elected legislators viewed emails from constituents as "irrelevant" and if they responded to my emails, they responded with their opinions. My vote and voice was silenced.
The Reno County Democrats asked me to run in 2024 for House District 104. They knew my advocacy work, community leadership, work ethic and believed in me. I switched to Democrat and drove to Topeka to file.
Rebecca Branson Newlin, wife of John M Newlin died in 1905 at the age of 61. She was never able to vote in state or federal elections. Their daughter, my great grandmother, Flora Newlin Henshaw was 45 before she could vote in state/federal elections. This history of the Womens Sufferage Movement is why I proudly vote.
I am proud to run as a rural moderate Democrat. I am campaigning to be your Representative that listens to you, no matter your party or Independent. I can have respectful tough conversations, be a fierce advocate, and do the hard work of representing the voters of 104.