Former Education Analyst Sues Three GOP Lawmakers Over Firing

Katie Allen filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday against Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, Sen. Brad Starnes, and Rep. Megan Steele. The suit claims the three Republican legislators violated her First Amendment right to free speech. Allen was a research analyst at the Kansas State Department of Education. She was terminated five days after the lawmakers publicly demanded her dismissal. The trigger was a brief comment she made on social media following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kirk was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University. Allen saw a Facebook post quoting Kirk’s 2023 remarks on the cost of gun violence. She walked to her car after work and commented, “Well deserved.” By the time she reached her vehicle, she had deleted the comment. That night, she posted an apology. She stated she made the remark in an emotional moment and realized quickly that the two words did not reflect her intended meaning.

Masterson reacted the next day. He wrote on Facebook, X, and Instagram that Education Commissioner Randy Watson needed to remove Allen from her position. Masterson and Starnes issued a joint press release calling for her firing. On September 12, Masterson posted a call to action on his official Senate President Facebook page. He urged Kansans to call Watson and demand Allen’s removal. He also posted Allen’s personal cellphone number and encouraged the public to call her directly. The lawsuit notes that Masterson later deleted these posts.

Allen received thousands of emails, including death threats. One email was titled “resign or die.” The sender promised to “blow your f*****g brains out if you don’t resign.” The lawsuit asserts that Masterson acted with evil motive or reckless indifference to her constitutional rights. Watson told Allen he believed he had no choice but to fire her due to the volume of angry correspondence.

Starnes and Steele also joined the campaign. Starnes posted the press release and sent emails from his Senate account to Watson and a State Board of Education member. He asked for Allen’s termination. Steele posted on Facebook to “strongly urge” Watson to fire Allen. She asked followers to take a stand and demand Allen resign. Steele wrote to every State Board member, identifying herself as a House member. She called Allen’s comment “disgusting and inexcusable” and said Allen had no place working for the state or near children’s education.

Watson called Allen on September 15 to ask her to resign. She declined and proposed a 30-day suspension. Watson fired her instead. Masterson took credit for the decision. He also called for Allen to resign from the Manhattan-Ogden school board, where she still serves. Starnes and Steele represent districts that include those schools. Starnes is in the middle of a four-year Senate term. Steele is running unopposed for her House seat.

Allen is represented by Overland Park attorneys Mark Dugan and Heather Schlozman. Campaign finance reports show Dugan donated $400 to Democrat Cindy Holscher’s gubernatorial campaign. Garrett Henson, a spokesman for Masterson’s campaign, cited the timing. “Two weeks before an election, a lawyer who donates to Cindy Holscher filed a lawsuit to try to help her campaign. That tells you what this is,” Henson said. He added that Masterson believes no one should celebrate political violence.

Holscher’s campaign declined to comment. Allen previously sued the state agency and Watson for wrongful termination. A jury trial for that case is scheduled for March 2. Board member Cathy Hopkins responded to Steele’s emails. Hopkins said she was speaking with Watson about the matter. Watson’s decision to fire Allen followed his phone call on September 15.

The lawsuit describes Kirk as a polarizing public figure. It details Allen’s apology, where she wrote that she owns her mistake and promises to do better. She said she remains deeply concerned about violence and discontent in America. She pledged to continue advocating for common sense laws to keep kids and communities safe. The three legislators have not yet responded to the specific First Amendment claims in the new federal suit.