Richard Burr

Senator Richard Burr was born in Charlottesville, Virginia on November 30, 1955, and moved to Winston-Salem in 1963 when his father became the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church.

Senator Burr attended the public school system and graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School. Richard attended Wake Forest University where he played football and was graduated in 1978.

Senator Burr spent the next 17 years in the business world with Carswell Distributing Inc. where he became National Sales Manager before running for public office. In 1992, Richard ran for the U.S. House of Representatives committed to balancing the federal budget, cutting wasteful spending and fighting against higher taxes. While losing a close race that year against an 18 year incumbent Democrat, Richard ran again in 1994 and won, becoming the first Republican in 20 years to represent the 5th Congressional District of North Carolina.

Senator Burr was elected to a total of five terms in the U.S. House where he made his mark as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, rising to the position of Vice-Chairman. There he was recognized as a leading voice on health-care and energy issues. Richard also served on the House Select Committee on Intelligence in the months leading up to, and after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

In 2004, Richard decided to run for the United States Senate. Following a successful campaign, he became the 52nd United States Senator from North Carolina. Richard is the only sitting Member of the U.S. House elected to the U.S. Senate from North Carolina and is the first person from Winston-Salem elected to the Senate. He was sworn into office on January 3, 2005.

Senator Burr serves on the following Senate Committees: Health, Education Labor and Pensions, Energy and Natural Resources, Veterans Affairs where he serves as the Ranking Republican Member, the Armed Services Committee, and the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Senator Burr travels extensively throughout North Carolina when the Senate is not in session and returns home every weekend where his wife, Brooke and their two sons live.