State Rep. Bob Burns is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann to talk about his campaign for the St. Louis County Council’s 6th District seat.
In the Missouri House, Burns represents the 93rd District, which takes in portions of Affton, Lemay and Bella Villa. He’s running against Councilman Ernie Trakas for the right to represent the south St. Louis County-based district. That race is the most competitive general election for a county council seat in November.
Here’s what Burns talked about on the show:
- Even though Burns is a Democrat and Trakas is a Republican, Burns explained how he would vote independently from Democratic County Executive Sam Page on key issues. For instance, Burns said he would have voted against giving Page spending authority over federal coronavirus funds — an issue the council took up this year.
- He discussed why money raised from a half-cent sales tax, known as Proposition P, that passed in 2017 should continue to go toward bolstering police services.
- Burns talked about his mentality toward development in the 6th District. Because so much of that district is unincorporated, the councilman for that area often has to make key decisions when it comes to new housing and business developments.
- He explained why he feels he’s better positioned to win the 6th District race than Trakas, who narrowly won his seat in 2016 over former state Rep. Patricia Yaeger.
Burns is a south St. Louis County native who’s been a beer truck driver, an Affton School Board member and a staffer for U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt and Sen. Claire McCaskill. After unsuccessfully running for the state House in 2006 against then-Rep. Jim Lembke, Burns emerged victorious in 2012 to represent the 93rd District.
Burns had little trouble getting reelected to the heavily Democratic House seat. He beat two other Democrats earlier this year for the right to take on Trakas for the position on the council.
Follow Jason Rosenbaum on Twitter: @jrosenbaum
Follow Rachel Lippmann on Twitter: @rlippmann
Music: “Walk Hard” by Dewey Cox
