Linda Howlett Belcher (born September 28, 1948) is an American educator and politician. She is a three-time member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing the 49th district, which covers parts of Bullitt County.
Early life and education Belcher was born in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Arts in elementary education from Western Kentucky University.
Career Outside of politics, Belcher worked as an elementary teacher and was a member of the Little Flock Christian Academy School Board. Belcher served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2009 to 2013 and from 2015 to 2017 as a Democrat. She succeeded her husband Larry Belcher in the Kentucky General Assembly after he was killed in an auto accident.Votersmart.org.-Linda Belcher
In 2016, Belcher was defeated for re-election by Republican Dan Johnson. Johnson committed suicide in December 2017, two days after elements of his criminal past had been exposed. Belcher ran again for the open seat in a district which president Donald Trump had won with 72% of the vote. Dan's widow, Rebecca, was chosen by Republican officials as their replacement nominee, to oppose Belcher in a special election. Belcher recaptured her old seat with 68% of the vote. She lost to Republican Thomas Huff in the general election of November 2018.
Election results Date Election Candidate Party Votes % Kentucky House of Representatives, 49th district Nov 4, 2008 General Linda Belcher Democratic 10,954 53.96 Trina Summers Republican 9,347 46.04 Larry Belcher died in office; seat stayed Democratic Nov 2, 2010 General Linda Belcher Democratic 7,878 50.32 Russell Webber Republican 7,777 49.68 Nov 6, 2012 General Russell Webber Republican 11,329 52.81 Linda Belcher Democratic 10,124 47.19 Nov 4, 2014 General Linda Belcher Democratic 6,675 52.92 Michael Nemes Republican 5,938 47.08 Nov 8, 2016 General Dan Johnson Republican 9,342 50.42 Linda Belcher Democratic 9,186 49.58 Feb 20, 2018 Special Linda Belcher Democratic 3,386 68.45 Rebecca Johnson Republican 1,561 31.55 Nov 6, 2018 General Thomas Huff Republican 8,680 59.41 Linda Belcher Democratic 5,930 40.59
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