Facebook comment costs former Kansas analyst her job, lawsuit claims

Katie Allen, a former research analyst at the Kansas State Department of Education, is suing three Republican legislators over her firing. The lawsuit, filed in federal court on Wednesday, alleges that Senate President Ty Masterson, Senator Brad Starnes, and Representative Megan Steele violated her First Amendment rights by demanding her removal after she commented on a social media post.

The dispute began on September 10, 2025, the day conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University. Allen was walking to her car after work when she saw a Facebook post sharing a 2023 quote from Kirk about gun violence. She typed the words "Well deserved" as a comment. By the time she reached her vehicle, she deleted the text and later posted an apology, explaining that she had spoken in an emotional moment and did not intend the specific meaning of those two words.

The next day, Masterson posted on Facebook, X, and Instagram that education commissioner Randy Watson needed to remove Allen immediately. Starnes and Masterson issued a joint press release calling for her termination. On September 12, Masterson posted a "call to action" urging the public to contact Watson. He also shared Allen’s personal cellphone number on his official Senate President page and encouraged followers to call her directly. The lawsuit states that Masterson later deleted these posts.

Allen received thousands of emails and death threats, including one message titled "resign or die." The lawsuit claims Masterson acted with evil motive and reckless indifference to her rights. Watson called Allen on September 15 and asked her to resign. She declined and proposed a 30-day suspension, but Watson fired her that same day. Masterson later took credit for the firing and called for her to resign from the Manhattan-Ogden school board, a position she still holds.

Allen is represented by attorneys Mark Dugan and Heather Schlozman. Dugan’s campaign finance reports show he donated $400 to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cindy Holscher. Garrett Henson, a spokesman for Masterson, noted the timing of the filing two weeks before the election. "That tells you what this is," Henson said. "It doesn't change what Ty believes: no one should be celebrating political violence."

Allen’s previous wrongful termination suit against the state agency and Watson is scheduled for a jury trial on March 2. Starnes represents a district that includes the Manhattan-Ogden schools and sent emails from his Senate account requesting Allen's removal. Steele, who is running unopposed for her House seat, wrote to State Board of Education members, describing Allen’s comment as "disgusting and inexcusable."

Board member Cathy Hopkins confirmed she was speaking with Watson about the matter. Allen’s apology post stated she owns her mistake and will continue to advocate for common sense safety laws.