Burcham stays in House race

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- On the advice of his family and supporters, state Rep. Tom Burcham has decided to continue his bid for a second term in the House of Representatives. Burcham, R-Farmington, was arrested April 9 and charged with driving while intoxicated.

The next day, he publicly admitted his guilt and took a three-week leave of absence from the General Assembly to seek treatment for what he acknowledged was a long-term struggle with alcoholism.

Upon returning for the closing weeks of the legislative term, Burcham said he was unsure if he would stay in the race. In a statement sent to media outlets Tuesday, Burcham said that after much soul searching he had decided to resume his campaign.

"By my decision, I do not make light of driving under the influence of alcohol," Burcham said. "That is wrong. I do not make light of my problem. That must be remedied, which means continuing my commitment to end drinking." Burcham, 35, was elected to the 106th District seat in 2000.

The newly redrawn district will represent portions of Perry, Ste. Genevieve and St. Francois counties.

Burcham said his campaign will focus on themes of smaller government and local control of education.

Cecilia Fallert of Perryville, Mo., Burcham's challenger in the Aug. 6 Republican primary, said she wasn't surprised by his decision. "I thought he was going to run all along," Fallert said, adding that she thinks she is the better candidate.

Fallert said she entered the race because she questioned Burcham's effectiveness in Jefferson City, saying he has sponsored no legislation of significance.

She said that assessment wasn't related to his arrest.

The primary victor will face Democrat Dennis W. Smith, a Farmington city councilman, in November's general election.

mpowers@semissourian.com

(573) 635-4608