It wasn’t the first Capitol video state representative Eric Burlison shot. It was, however, the one that got the attention of the Internet-based newspaper Huffington Post.
“I knew that I was poking the bear a little bit,” admits Burlison, who visited a shooting range in February on a whim after a Monday House session to ask residents about a proposed bill banning the manufacturing and possession of assault weapons and high-capacity clips and requiring owners to surrender such weapons. The video ends with House Bill 545 being used as target practice.
“I do a lot of capital videos. People would see that video and think that’s the only video I’ve ever done,” says Burlison, elected in 2008 to represent Greene County’s 133rd District. “We wanted to make a point. I had no idea it would get national attention.”
The attention-grabbing path wasn’t Burlison’s goal, in fact, he insists he wasn’t outgoing enough when encouraged to run for political office.
“I’ve always been kind of the nerd, the geek, and never thought about doing that,” Burlison says.
His political views were formed early in life during lively discussions stemming from his politically split grandparents, and he was involved in speech and debate at Parkview High School.
Balancing governance with a private-sector job was a concern, but Burlison had run a business building websites while also attending college. When he found out his then-employer would work with him – Burlison was on the team that developed CoxHealth’s online patient portal that won a national award – he decided to run.
“I felt like that was an opportunity I didn’t want to turn down,” Burlison says, noting he prides himself on being a resource for his House colleagues. “That’s what I strive for. I want to be the go-to (person) on policy.”
Burlison is proud to sponsor HB 77, a right-to-work proposal that’s been returned to the full House. It’s a contentious bill the governor opposes.
“I’ve been able to move the ball on a subject no one wanted to deal with,” says Burlison, who considers himself a Reagan conservative. “Sometimes if you’re going to do what’s right, you’re not going to make everyone happy.”
Burlison will run for re-election in 2014. After that, the eight-year term limit kicks in. Burlison doesn’t know his next political move, but he knows he isn’t afraid to lose.
“The one thing I hope people remember me for is the guy who wasn’t afraid to do the big things,” he says. “I am what I am, and I believe what I believe.”[[In-content Ad]]
