Host of candidates running for 149th District House seat

District 149 voters will have several choices on the Democratic and Republican ballots Tuesday.

Four candidates have filed in the primary election to fill the seat held by state Rep. Steve Hodges, a Democrat. The Democratic candidates are Bill Burlison and Diedra Freeman, and Republican candidates are Don Rone and Neal E. Boyd.

The district includes all of New Madrid County and portions of Mississippi and Pemiscot counties, but includes a small portion of the Sikeston, Missouri, area.

Burlison, of Wardell, Missouri, is making his third attempt at a state House seat. This is his first time running for the 149th District.

Freeman, of New Madrid, Missouri, also is making her first try at the 149th seat on the Democratic ticket.

Rone, of Portageville, Missouri, served as an alderman and mayor in Portageville and served as the New Madrid County public administrator, according to his website. He is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, a member of Delta Wildlife and National Wild Turkey Federation, a 32nd-degree Mason and served on the University of Missouri Delta Center Advisory Board for 30 years.

Boyd, from Sikeston, will make his second attempt at the seat after losing to Hodges in 2012. Boyd, a singer, is best-known for winning the "America's Got Talent" television talent show in 2008.

Financials

The candidates released their latest campaign financial reports, and Burlison's campaign has raised $70,200, with $17,184.88 in cash on hand. Freeman has raised $10,851.00, with $2,873.26 in cash on hand.

In his first filing with the Missouri Ethics Commission, Rone's campaign has raised $37,682.99 for the quarter with $30,550 in cash on hand. Boyd's campaign has gathered $300, and it also is the amount the campaign has in cash on hand.

skluesner@semissourian.com

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