Kennett rep to leave House after two terms

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State Rep. Phillip Britt said Friday that he won't seek re-election to the House of Representatives so he can spend more time with his young family.

Britt, D-Kennett, becomes the only incumbent lawmaker from Southeast Missouri not being forced out by term limits to forgo a 2002 re-election bid.

"This has been a decision that has taken a lot of deep thought and discussion among my family," Britt said. "I finally came to the realization that it is the right thing to do. I have to set priorities, and my family is my priority."

Brent Robinson of Kennett filed Friday on the Democratic ticket for Britt's 163rd District seat. Robinson is a community development specialist with University of Missouri Outreach and Extension for Dunklin County.

Republican Curtis Steward of Campbell is also running for the seat. The 163rd District represents portions of Butler, Dunklin and Stoddard counties.

Britt, 31, plans to practice law full-time and said he won't seek any local elected office this year.

In the neighboring 162nd District, state Rep. Denny Merideth, D-Caruthersville, filed Friday for a final term. The 162nd District includes Pemiscot County and parts of Dunklin and New Madrid counties.

The only other area candidate to file this week was Libertarian Chip Taylor of Poplar Bluff for the open 154th District seat. Three other candidates from Poplar Bluff have already filed -- Democrat Bill Stanberry and Republicans Robbie Myers and Gayle Kingery. The district, which covers most of Butler County, is currently represented by term-limited state Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff.

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