About Brenda Dietrich

Brenda Dietrich

Brenda’s Current Committees:


  • Joint Committee on Special Claims Against the State (Chair)
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance (Chair)
  • Joint Committee on Fiduciary Financial Institutions Oversight (Vice-Chair)
  • Joint Committee on Pensions, Investments and Benefits (Vice-Chair)
  • Transportation
  • Commerce
  • Federal and State Affairs


Brenda Dietrich is a 4th generation Kansan, a mother, an educator, a community volunteer, and a life-long Republican who was born in Colby, Kansas where her great grandparents and extended family farmed thousands of acres in Thomas County. Her parents moved the family to McPherson, Kansas when she was in 5th grade where she graduated from McPherson High School, then earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University. She earned her Master’s Degree in Education Administration and her Ph.D. in Education Administration with a minor in Business Management while working in USD 207, Fort Leavenworth School District.


During her career, Brenda has been a teacher, building administrator and Superintendent. She retired in 2015 after 40 years in public education. The last 14 years of her career were spent as the Superintendent of the Auburn-Washburn School District in Topeka, Kansas. In 2007, Brenda was honored as Kansas Superintendent of the Year and as a finalist for National Superintendent of the Year. Brenda has always been actively involved in her community as a volunteer and she is a two-time Paul Harris Fellow.  She is a strong believer in giving back to the community and is committed to giving back whenever and wherever she can. Brenda has been on the Boards of many non-profits in Topeka including United Way, Topeka Shawnee County Public Library Foundation, Junior Achievement, and is currently active with the Jayhawk Area Council of Boy Scouts, Rotary, and Kansas STARBASE.


Brenda previously served in the Kansas House for 2 terms. She was first elected in 2016 to represent the 52nd House District and was re-elected again in 2018, where she was appointed Vice-Chair of Education. She served on several House Committees over those 4 years…. K-12 Education Budget, Financial Institutions and Pensions, Veterans, General Government Budget, Children and Seniors, and was selected as Vice-Chair of the Legislative Task Force on Dyslexia.


In 2020, Brenda was first elected to the Kansas Senate to serve the 20th District. Her previous House District sits almost entirely within the new Senate District. Brenda served on many Senate Committees during her first term.  She was Vice-Chair of Commerce and served on Education, Financial Institutions and Insurance, Transportation, and Federal and State Affairs. She also Chaired the Joint Committee on Special Claims Against the State and served on the Joint Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Benefits.


Brenda was re-elected to the Kansas Senate in 2024 and in her second term has been appointed Chair of Financial Institutions and Insurance. She is also continuing to serve on Transportation, Commerce, and Federal and State Affairs.