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ICYMI: Funderburk drops bid in St. Charles citing family concerns

Saint Louis, Mo. — Rep. Doug Funderburk, who is about to be termed out of his seat in the Missouri House, dropped his bid for St. Charles County Executive, citing growing needs to attend to his family.

Doug Funderburk
Doug Funderburk

Funderburk was set to challenge former state senator Steve Ehlmann in the primary. Ehlmann has served in the post for 7 years but is relatively popular in the area. He also made The Missouri Times’ list of the Best Senators in the Past 25 Years. Some were surprised Funderburk chose to enter the race, given his recently family struggles that ultimately led to his bowing out.

Funderburk’s mother passed away in May along with a close friend. Funderburk’s nineteen-year-old soon is also severely ill, ultimately leading Funderburk to end his campaign, which never really began.

Funderburk barely campaigned and raised almost no money during the early weeks of the summer, hinting to many that any real challenge was not going to be mounted. Funderburk’s name will remain on the ballot, as he officially stepped down too close to the election to remove it. Ehlmann will once again breeze into a general election battle with Democrat Rob Zerr.

Funderburk didn’t entirely rule out his future in politics. But for now, the September veto session will be his last opportunity to cast votes as a member of the Missouri legislature.