Sen. Terry C. Burton has had a stroke and is undergoing medical care, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves’s office announced Thursday.
“Please join me and Elee in praying for Senator Burton and his family,” Reeves said via press release.
On Friday, Burton’s family released a statement through longtime family friend Bill May thanking the community for the prayers and asking for continued support while Burton continues medical treatments.
“We are very thankful for the outpouring of love and concern for Terry since his stroke yesterday morning. Your prayers have been felt, and we solicit them further in the days ahead,” the family said in a written statement. “We are grateful for the wonderful medical providers who are caring for him and who will lead him through the healing process. During this time, we ask that his privacy be honored in order to enhance his recovery. Terry loves serving the people of Mississippi. We hope and pray that he will return to do so as soon as possible.”
Burton, who has served in the Senate since 1992 as the representative for District 31, which includes Newton, Scott and Lauderdale counties, resigned his position as Senate Pro Tem earlier this month following an arrest for driving under the influence by Mississippi Highway Patrol in Oktibbeha County.
In an address to the Mississippi Senate, Burton apologized for any negative impact his actions may have had on his fellow senators and the state’s leadership. While he maintained the arrest was a “misunderstanding,” Burton said he would be seeking help for “personal shortcomings” and would not seek reelection in the 2019 election.
No further information concerning Burton’s condition was available by press time. We will continue to follow the story and post updates online and on social media.
