Thanks to all the people who gave me their support and their votes, I won my race to the Kansas Senate with 70 percent of the vote, one of the largest margins of the night. My place in the Kansas House, representing the 84th District, will be taken by Gail Finney.

As happy as we were about our victories, the highlight of our watch party came about 10 p.m., with the announcement that Barack Obama had been declared winner of the presidential election!

This is the big day

Election Day is here!

Whether you've already voted by mail-in ballot or at an advance-voting location, or waited until today to exercise your constitutional right to go to the polls, THANK YOU!

If you are one of the hundreds of people who showed your support by displaying an Oletha Faust-Goudeau yard sign, THANK YOU!

If you made a contribution to my campaign so that I could get the word out about why I'm seeking the District 29 State Senate seat, THANK YOU!

If you attended a community forum to learn more about my record, my priorities and what I stand for, THANK YOU!

If you took the time to say a word of encouragement and support, or tell me what issues are on your mind, THANK YOU!

If you endorsed me by writing a letter or shared your thoughts with friends, family and neighbors, THANK YOU!

Our community needs people like you who are motivated, informed and engaged in the political process.

Your vote is important!

New business jet - and jobs - on horizon

I am looking forward to helping Cessna Aircraft celebrate the start of construction of its new Citation Columbus plant on Wednesday.

It's a project I advocated for in the Legislature, voting for $33 million in bonds to help make it a reality, because it will result in 1,000 new Cessna jobs - and industry experts say another 3,000 jobs will be created indirectly as a result. Cessna also invests in our community through job-training programs and charitable contributions.

Wichitans need more good-paying jobs with benefits to support their families, and I will continue to champion this kind of job creation as a state senator.

I appreciate your vote!

One wall at a time

As a board member of Habitat for Humanity, I was thrilled to attend a ceremony this morning lifting the wall of the 100th home built for a family who will become first-time homeowners. Purchasing a home is one of the most important accomplishments one can achieve in one's lifetime. Habitat helps families, and helps stabilize neighborhoods, through a combination of community volunteering, sweat equity, donations and low-cost mortgages. The newest house is being built in a new neighborhood near 33rd Street North and Jackson.

Fast paced

Three weeks until Election Day and the pace is picking up! In the past few days, I've attended several candidate forums and talked to hundreds of voters. Usually we have only 3 to 5 minutes to explain who we are, what we've done and what we intend to do if elected. My legislative priorities are based on your concerns: Better-paying jobs, healthier families, quality education and safer communities. The campaign schedule can be a challenge — especially when events are back-to-back or at the same time! — but it's so rewarding to meet with people who've taken the time to attend. Important dates coming up:
— Advance ballots go out in the mail today, Oct. 15. (Don't forget to fill it out and mail it back!)
— The last day to register to vote is Oct. 20.
— Voting early in person at the Sedgwick County Elections Office starts Wednesday, Oct. 22 and runs through noon Nov. 3.
— Election Day is Nov. 4.

Thanks for your vote!

29th District is the heart of Wichita

It's nice to see Wichita's Old Town District recognized as one of America's Top 10 Neighborhoods!

Revitalized Old Town is in the 29th District - along with so many of the core neighborhoods that help give Wichita its unique character: from Downtown to Southeast High School, Midtown to Wichita State University and beyond. It is diverse and vibrant. Like the people who live here and the businesses that anchor it, this district faces challenges and deserves a senator who not only knows it well but has the legislative experience to get things done.

Vote Nov. 4 for Oletha Faust-Goudeau.

Just 2 weeks left to register to vote!

A story about voter registration drives in Monday's Wichita Eagle featured two men who have been working hard in the 29th District to help others exercise their civil rights. Former firefighter Chester Selmon has set up a card table at the corner of 13th and Grove to help people fill out registration forms. Drew Steadman, president of the WSU College Democrats, even went so far as to bring donkeys onto campus to draw students' attention to the signup booth.

Monday, Oct. 20 is the last day to register to vote for the general election. If you don't happen to be near Chester or Drew, you can click here for a downloadable / printable copy of the voter registration form. It's available in English and in Spanish. Once you have it filled out, return it to the Sedgwick County Election Office in the Historic County Courthouse, 510 N. Main #101, Wichita KS 67203 by 5 p.m. Oct. 20.

Please encourage your friends and neighbors to register, then vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4!

In the news

To read the story The Wichita Eagle published about me on Sunday, Oct. 5, click here.

Strengthening my resolve

Gratifying to know that the people who attended the Grandparents As Caregivers Forum on Saturday at the Northeast Senior Center received information that has the potential to change lives. For instance, one woman who has raised her teenage grandson since he was in 3rd grade with very little help now knows about the Kinship Navigator program, which can help her get the benefits and parenting guidance she needs. And it's free. (For more information, call 942-4261.)

The forum panel included myself, Secretary Don Jordan of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, attorney Kelly Hogan from Kansas Legal Services, B.J. Gore of the Kansas Children's Service League and others. We were there to answer questions about state-funded programs that help keep children safe and families together. We also heard personal stories that renewed my resolve to continue to speak out and act.

In Kansas, there are nearly 30,000 children living in households headed by their grandparents, an increase of about 40 percent since 1990. Too many of these families struggle to make ends meet. The majority of these caregivers get little assistance and can find it hard to access basic services for the children, such as health care.

This is an issue that deeply affects the 29th District. With your help, I'll return to the Statehouse and keep fighting for what's right.

I'd appreciate your vote Nov. 4.

Women voters

This afternoon, I'll be at a forum on women and voting at Interfaith Ministries hosted by Church Women United. Looking forward to it!

Staying connected: update

Here's a glimpse of The Timbers' Las Vegas Night (see previous post). There were just-for-fun poker games inside and great food and friends under a canopy outside.

Staying connected

For me, life on the campaign means keeping a cell phone in my hand all day long - to stay in touch with supporters, volunteers, the printer, reporters, voters, my kids. . . . I'd say it makes me wonder how campaigns were run without them, but no matter how much I rely on technology, it is just a tool to help me do what's really important: Connect.

All day, every day in the 29th District, I meet new people and stay in touch with old friends as I conduct business and attend events. As a lifelong resident of the 29th District, I know that the heart of our community is its people.

At one of the events on my schedule today, I'll be visiting with my friends from the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation and The Timbers. This unique, independent living community for people with disabilities and the elderly, was developed by CPRF nearly 30 years ago and is a tremendous asset to Wichita and the region.

With your support and your vote, I'll continue working to ensure that all residents of the 29th District have a voice at the Statehouse.

Join me on Saturday

I will be hosting a Grandparents As Caregivers Informational Forum from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Northeast Senior Center, 2121 E. 21st St. in Wichita.

Grandparents As Caregivers helps older Kansans keep their families together. As a member of the Kansas House, I was able to build bipartisan support for my bill to expand this crucial program so more children could benefit.

Also scheduled to attend the forum are Don Jordan, Secretary of SRS; Annette Graham, Department on Aging; B.J. Gore of Kansas Children's Service League; and a representative of Kansas Legal Services. For more information, drop by on Saturday or contact Kansas Children's Service League at 942-4261.

Riding the rails to work?

Tuesday morning, I attended a public hearing at Wichita State University on energy policy and transportation.

The Kansas Energy Council’s preliminary recommendations focus on research and development of advanced technologies for electric generation and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Among the ideas that caught my attention: Establishing light rail service between Wichita and Newton to connect our community with the existing transcontinental passenger system - and to allow commuters to travel between their homes in Harvey County and their jobs in Sedgwick County without driving I-135. It's intriguing.

If you'd like to share your ideas with the KEC, its public comment period continues through October 10. Submit your thoughts by mail to the Kansas Energy Council, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS, 66604, or by e-mail to l.brosius@kcc.ks.gov.

3 weeks to registration deadline

Monday, Oct. 20 is the last day to register to vote for the general election. Click here for a downloadable / printable copy of the voter registration form. It's available in English and in Spanish. Once you have it filled out, return it to the Sedgwick County Election Office in the Historic County Courthouse, 510 N. Main #101, Wichita KS 67203 by 5 p.m. Oct. 20.

Encourage your friends and neighbors to register, then vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4!

Oletha is now blogging!

Welcome to my new blog! With just a few weeks left in my campaign for the Kansas Senate 29th District seat, I'm busier than ever, so check back often for updates. I'm out in the community daily, meeting with residents of one of the most diverse districts in the state.

Whether it's an arts festival, a high school fundraiser or a civic forum, I believe it's important to be there, listening to residents' concerns and responding to the issues that matter most to the people I represent.

My experience in our community and in Topeka makes a difference. Send me back to the Kansas Legislature so I can continue to fight for you -- and for quality education, healthier families and better-paying jobs.

Vote for Oletha Faust-Goudeau for Kansas Senate

29th District on Nov. 4.