STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Bellevue Mayor Ned Burns has been selected to replace Rep. Muffy Davis in the Statehouse come Jan. 10.

Burns was appointed by Gov. Brad Little from a list of three candidates submitted by the Democratic Party committee of District 26. The other candidates were Karma Fitzgerald, vice chair of the Lincoln County Democrats, and Don Lappin, past Democratic precinct captain for Sun Valley.

Flanked by his wife Sara and a black pug named Roscoe, Burns ran for mayor with an agenda to repair the potholes he had to dodge to and from work with Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties.

He grew up in Twin Falls but moved to the Wood River Valley after studying business at the University of Montana. He worked in the fronts of restaurants, then switched to real estate.

When not wielding a gavel, Burns plays recreational league hockey and enjoys fishing, backpacking,  hiking and elk hunting.

He will need to run in the Democratic primary election in Spring 2022 if he wishes to retain his seat. If successful, he will then run in the November general election for a two-year term.

He does have previous experience, having substituted for Davis and District 26 Rep. Sally Toone on occasion.

Davis is expected to resign from her Legislative District 26 seat A effective Dec. 31, 2021, to assume the role of Blaine County commissioner. Davis was selected by Little to fill that seat after Jacob Greenberg announced his decision to retire.

Blaine County Democrats will hold a legislative send-off via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Jan. 5. The link will be announced later on the organization’s website and Facebook page.