Burlison sweeps past GOP primary challengers, will face Hesketh and Craig in November

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison survived a crowded Republican primary Tuesday, setting up a November general election that will see him face Democrat Missi Hesketh and Libertarian Kevin Craig in the race for Missouri's 7th District.

Burlison posted a commanding lead early in the evening, finishing with 83.1% of the Republican vote, according to unofficial statewide results.

Burlison has held the District 7 seat since 2022, replacing Rep. Billy Long. He previously served in the Missouri Senate, representing parts of Greene and Christian counties, from 2019 to 2023, and before that as the representative for Missouri House District 133.

Burlison has said he wants to address legislation that deals with the trucking industry, issues property owners run into when dealing with the Army Corp of Engineers, to limit the size and scope of the federal and reduce government spending.

More: Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison faces primary election challengers. What to know

Hesketh is the mayor of Forsyth, Missouri, and a former city councilwoman. If elected, Hesketh wants to address poverty in the district, ensure reproductive rights and push for common sense gun reform.

Craig is a California native who, if elected, wants to abolish agencies he finds unconstitutional and wants to abolish "arguably constitutional" entities as well, such as the post office.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Rep. Eric Burlison to face Forsyth mayor in November general election