Former Boone County clerk announces candidacy for Congress
ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ)
Former Boone County clerk Taylor Burks announced his run for Missouri's Third Congressional District.
The Republican announced on Monday he is running for the seat that current U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer plans to retire from in December.
This is not the first time Burks has run for Congress, in 2021 he ran for the Fourth District but lost to Rep. Mark Alford in the primary election.
Burks is currently the only candidate from Mid-Missouri to announce candidacy for the Third Congressional District.
He is entering a race that has started to pick up since Luetkemeyer announced his retirement. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold), Brandon Wilinson of Cedar Hill and former State Sen. Bob Onder of Defiance have all announced their campaigns for the seat. Bethany Mann is the only Democrat who has announced plans to run.
Burks began his work as Boone County clerk in 2017 when then-Governor Eric Greitens appointed him to the spot. Burks lost in 2018 to Democrat Brianna Lennon, but got a job with the state a month later. Burks is a Navy veteran. He now lives in Southern Boone County with his family.
“I believe in the promise of the USA, and that our best days are ahead. We face many challenges, but only if we move past the career politicians and the swamp that are sucking the soul of America," Burks said in a news release. "I grew up on a farm, I served in the Navy, and now lead men and women in the private sector. Today, as the only candidate from mid-Missouri, I'm running for Congress to fight for our values.”
The first day for candidates to file for the August primary election is Feb. 27.
