Brigadier General Leanne Burch (Ret.) unopposed for Arkansas House District 9

Republican candidate ruled ineligible to hold office

Little Rock – Brigadier Gen. LeAnne Burch (USA, Ret.) of Monticello is unopposed for the Arkansas State House, District 9. A lifelong resident of Southeast Arkansas, LeAnne is just as passionate about her community as she is about her country. LeAnne, a retired Brigadier General, has a military career spanning 30 years—from Bosnia to Afghanistan. LeAnne served as Commander, U.S. Army Reserve Legal Command 2013-16 and Chief Judge (IMA), Army Court of Criminal Appeals 2012-13.

Gen. Burch is unopposed due to a ruling by a Circuit Judge that the Republican candidate is ineligible to serve. Democratic Party of Arkansas Chair, Vincent Insalaco, said in a statement, “This morning, Circuit Judge David Laser ruled Jim Hall, the Republican candidate for House District 9, ineligible to hold office. The court agreed that Hall’s hot check conviction met the legal definition of an infamous crime, disqualifying him from appearing on the November ballot. The Democratic Party is proud the rule of law was upheld.”

“We are thrilled that the Democratic nominee, Brigadier General LeAnne Burch (Ret.), will be unopposed on the November ballot. General Burch will fill the vacancy recently created by the tragic death of State Representative Sheilla Lampkin. We know that General Burch will work to strengthen public education and make pre-K accessible for every eligible child in District 9; that would have made Sheilla, a life-long educator, very proud.”

Gen. Burch served in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) 2008-09 and Operation Joint Guard (Bosnia-Herzegovina) 1998. She has received numerous honors, including the Distinguished Service Medal, 
Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star.

“From Monticello to Hamburg to Crossett and areas between, Gen. Burch will fight to grow the economy, support families and build a future that allows communities to thrive. Her service has proven time and again her commitment to our country. She’s ready to put that passion and dedication to work in the Arkansas House of Representatives,” said a press release by the Democratic Party of Arkansas.

Arkansas House Democratic Leader, Rep. Michael John Gray, said in a statement, “I am excited to get to work with Brigadier General LeAnne Burch. I know that she will bring a professional and courageous approach to the issues Arkansans face every day – just like she has with every position she has ever held. General Burch exemplifies the best of Democratic values and I look forward to working with her, and the other Democrats running for the state legislature, to make real progress for all Arkansans.”

Gen. Burch is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Monticello and has served as an attorney with Department of Human Services for the State of Arkansas. Gen. Burch has served on the boards of the Monticello-Drew County Chamber 
of Commerce, South East Arkansas (SEARK) Concert Association and the Monticello Schools Foundation. She is a former Girl Scout leader and youth basketball coach. 
Leanne and her late husband Dr. Robert H. “Bobby” Burch, Jr. , have two adult children, Dr. (CPT) Robert H. “Trey” Burch, III, and Katelyn Burch Busby.

The Gayly – September 13, 2016 @ 1:20 p.m.