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. 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 Notes 1948 births Living people People from Shepherdsville, Kentucky Western Kentucky University alumni Eastern Kentucky University alumni Educators from Kentucky Kentucky women in education Women state legislators in Kentucky School board members in Kentucky Democratic Party members of the Kentucky House of Representatives 21st-century American women