Eric Burlison Bio
Eric Wayne Burlison (born October 2, 1976) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Missouri’s 7th congressional district since 2023. A Republican, he represents a largely rural district in southwest Missouri anchored by Springfield. He previously served in the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate before winning his seat in Congress.
Before entering politics, Burlison worked in health-care technology as a software engineer and business analyst. He has also been active in community organizations and ministry work in the Springfield area.
Early Life and Background
Eric Wayne Burlison was born on October 2, 1976, in Springfield, Missouri, where he continues to make his home. He grew up in the Springfield area and graduated from Parkview High School in 1995. The Springfield community shaped much of his early life and laid the foundation for his later career in public service.
Burlison went on to attend Southwest Missouri State University, which is now known as Missouri State University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 2000, followed by a Master of Business Administration in 2002. His education in both the humanities and business gave him a blend of analytical and practical skills.
Path to US Politics
After completing his education, Burlison joined CoxHealth as a software engineer, eventually being promoted to business analyst. He later worked for Cerner, a health-care technology company, where he remained until his election to the U.S. House of Representatives. His professional experience in health-care technology gave him insight into an industry that later became a focus in his legislative work.
Burlison’s entry into politics came at the state level. In 2008, he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives, representing District 133 in Greene County. His transition from health-care technology to elective office marked the beginning of a career focused on limited government, health-care policy, and Second Amendment rights.
Eric Burlison Career
Early Career (2009-2016)
Burlison served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2009 to 2016, representing the 133rd District in Greene County. During his tenure, he chaired the House Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing and served as vice chair of the House Special Committee on Health Insurance. These roles positioned him at the center of key policy debates in the state legislature.
Among his early legislative achievements, Burlison sponsored a 2011 bill that made Missouri a member of the Health Care Compact, a multi-state effort on health-care policy. In 2014, he passed legislation to expand access to educational services for children with dyslexia, and in 2016, he sponsored a successful bill eliminating conceal and carry requirements for firearms in Missouri.
Missouri Senate Breakthrough (2019-2022)
In 2018, Burlison was elected to the Missouri Senate, representing the 20th District, which includes Christian County and part of Greene County. He assumed office in 2019 and served in the state Senate until his election to the U.S. House in 2022. His time in the state Senate broadened his policy portfolio at the state level.
During his Senate term, Burlison drew attention in 2022 when he proposed a bill that would have allowed defendants to bypass a jury trial if they believed their use of deadly force was in self-defense. The bill drew bipartisan opposition and was described by a prosecutor as the “Make Murder Legal Act.” The controversy highlighted his willingness to pursue contentious criminal-justice reforms.
U.S. House of Representatives Era (2023-Present)
Burlison won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022, defeating Democratic nominee Kristen Radaker-Sheafer with 70.9 percent of the vote to her 26.9 percent. His term began on January 3, 2023, representing Missouri’s 7th congressional district. In 2024, he was reelected for a second term, solidifying his hold on the seat.
In Congress, Burlison has served on committees and is a member of the new House Department of Government Efficiency Committee. He has been involved in a range of policy debates, including government spending, Medicaid reform, and oversight of federal programs. His voting record reflects a consistently conservative approach to fiscal and social issues.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Burlison’s most talked-about early moments in Congress came in a House floor speech criticizing DirecTV for removing Newsmax TV from its lineup, during which he invoked the Holocaust and referenced the poem “First they came…” He was one of 71 Republicans to vote against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, and one of only two representatives, along with Thomas Massie, to vote against the Take It Down Act, which criminalizes non-consensual intimate images. In 2024, he petitioned House leadership to create a committee to study UFOs, and as of 2025, he serves on a task force within the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform dedicated to that topic.
Eric Burlison Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Eric Wayne Burlison lives outside Springfield, Missouri, with his wife, Angie Burlison, and their two daughters. He has been active in community and faith-based organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks, Destiny Church in Republic, Missouri, and campus ministries such as The Potter’s House and Campus Crusade for Christ. In 2005, he was named Big Brother of the Year for his work with the organization.
Burlison is Protestant and also serves on the boards of D.R.E.A.M. and the Harmony House for battered and abused women. His memberships include the Freedom of Road Riders, Missouri Right to Life, the National Rifle Association of America, and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, reflecting a combination of faith, community, and policy interests that shape his public life.