Florissant Councilman Keith English Plans to Seek State Rep. Seat

It looks like state representative Bert Atkins (D-Florissant) will have a challenge for his seat for Missouri's 75th Congressional district.

Ward 4 Councilmen Keith English announced his plans to challenge Atkins for the state seat during Monday's Florissant City Council meeting.

“I want to take this leadership to the state level, where I think I can make an impact to North County,” English said in an interview with Florissant Patch. “I think that North County has been looked over for many years for state money.”

English has served as the Ward 4 Councilman for the past five years and has been the council president for the past two years.

Atkins has been the district’s representative since 2008 in an uncontested election. Previously, .

Due to the redistricting of congressional boundaries, English and Atkins will fight for District 68, according to the state apportionment map.

Despite his bid for a state seat, English reassures Florissant citizens his continued commitment as a councilman.

He said that his election bid will not impact his job on the council, and he has no plans to step down.

Filing for the seat opens Feb. 28 in Jefferson City. The primary election for the seat will be held Aug. 7 with a general election to follow on Nov. 6.