http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/campaigndi_1878.mp3
As part of our election coverage, KSMU brings you Campaign Diaries - a series of stories profiling local individuals of all political persuasions who are working, volunteering and participating in campaigns throughout the Ozarks. KSMU's Katie Hummel spent the day with a campaign worker at his home in Springfield. Doug Burlison is working to get a Libertarian elected to the state House of Representatives. His name is Doug Burlison and this is his story.
FOR DOUG BURLISON, HE'S ALWAYS BEEN DRAWN TO THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY.
THAT'S WHY THIS ELECTION YEAR, HE'S DECIDED TO WORK FOR A CANDIDATE RUNNING ON THE LIBERTARIAN TICKET.
DOUG IS THE CAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE MELONY MIZER.
YES. DOUG'S RUN FOR OFFICE A FEW TIMES HIMSELF.
IN FACT, HE SAYS HE'S BEEN RUNNING SINCE 1994.
DOUG SAYS HE DECIDED TO RUN ON THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET THIS YEAR, IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER, WHO WAS A LIFE-LONG DEMOCRAT.
BUT DOUG DIDN'T MAKE IT IN THE PRIMARY.
HE LOST TO DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE JIM NEWBERRY, WHO IS RUNNING AGAINST REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN ROY BLUNT.
SO, NOW DOUG PUTS ALL OF HIS TIME AND EFFORT INTO MELONY'S CAMPAIGN.
HE ADMITS HE'S A BIT OF A PERFECTIONIST.
BUT FOR DOUG, WORKING FOR MELANY MIZER'S CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST HIS STRONG BELIEF IN THE PARTY : HE SAYS HE HAS OTHER
MELONY AND DOUG EXPLAIN HOW THEY MET ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.
BUT FOR THEM, THE HISTORY HAS JUST BEGUN : LITERALLY.
AND DOUG SAYS NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS WITH MELONY'S BID FOR A SEAT IN THE STATE HOUSE, HE'LL CONTINUE WORKING IN POLITICS'HE DOESN'T PLAN TO RETIRE ANYTIME SOON.