Incumbent rep to run in new district

Associated Press/Chuck Novara

Wayne Sirles, of Rendleman Orchards near Alto Pass, Ill., checked peach tree buds Friday afternoon after below-freezing temperatures hit Southern Illinois Thursday night. Temperatures in the teens killed delicate peach buds across Southern and Central Illinois, but whether the damage dents or devastates this summer's crop won't be clear for a few days, growers said Friday.By Marc Powers ~ Southeast Missourian

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State Rep. Tom Burcham this week became the final incumbent lawmaker from Southeast Missouri to file for another term.

Burcham, R-Farmington, will seek his second two-year term in the House of Representatives. However, this time he will be running in a district far different than the one voters elected him from in 2000.

The new 106th District will keep its existing territory in St. Francois County, buts adds portions of Ste. Genevieve and Perry counties, including Perryville. Those areas are currently represented by term-limited state Rep. Pat Naeger, R-Perryville. Gone from the district will be Madison County and northern Bollinger County.

The changing boundaries gives Burcham a challenger in the Aug. 6 GOP primary. Cecilia Fallert of Perryville, a former teacher and newspaper reporter, has also filed for the seat.

The primary winner will face Democrat Dennis W. Smith, a Farmington city councilman, in November.

Filing for the party primaries closes at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

So far, Burcham is the only area incumbent with an opponent in either the primary or general election.

Unopposed Republicans are state Reps. Lanie Black of Charleston, Jason Crowell of Cape Girardeau, Rod Jetton of Marble Hill, Rob Mayer of Dexter and Peter Myers of Sikeston.

Democrats without opposition are state Reps. Denny Merideth of Caruthersville and Wes Wagner of DeSoto. Redistricting will push Wagner's district, formerly based in Jefferson County, into Southeast Missouri with the addition of much of Ste. Genevieve County.

No state Senate seats from Southeast Missouri will be on the ballot this year.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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