Lawmaker remains undecided about re-election after arrest

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State Rep. Tom Burcham will wait until after the legislative session ends May 17 to make a decision on whether to continue his bid for a second term in office.

Burcham, R-Farmington, returned to the House of Representatives Tuesday after a three-week leave of absence to seek treatment for alcoholism following his April 9 arrest for driving while intoxicated.

"I'm going to see the next couple of weeks through," Burcham said.

"Right now I don't think it's a time to be in a campaign mode. I need to, first and foremost, take care of my family, continue to take care of the issue in front of me and, for the last two weeks of the session, continue to represent the people of my district."

He said the issues before the legislature are of more pressing importance than his future as a lawmaker.

Burcham, 34, filed for the Aug. 8 Republican primary for the 106th District in March. The newly reconfigured district will include Perryville, southwestern Ste. Genevieve County and southeastern St. Francois County.

The day following his arrest in Jefferson City, Burcham publicly admitted his guilt and checked himself into a treatment facility in St. Louis County. One week of in-patient treatment was followed with two weeks of out-patient visits.

Problem for years

Burcham said he has had a drinking problem for several years and that his recovery will be ongoing.

"I have taken and will continue taking steps to address the problem straight on," Burcham said. "I accept full responsibility for it."

Cecilia Fallert, a former newspaper reporter with the Perry County Republic-Monitor, is challenging Burcham in the Republican primary. The winner will face Democrat Dennis W. Smith, a Farmington city councilman, in November.

Because Burcham is an incumbent, candidate filing in the 106th District would re-open for five days for both parties should he decide to drop out of the race.

mpowers@semissourian.com

(573) 635-4608