10 Things You Didn't Know About Richard Burr

Sen. John McCain disclosed that he is in the "embryonic stages" of selecting a running mate, whom he hopes to introduce at the Republican National Convention. While he refused to disclose any names, McCain told reporters that the list is about 20 deep, and "it's every name imaginable." This is one of a series of profiles on the candidates we imagine might be on his list and some things you might not know about the maybe veeps. See the full list here.

Richard Burr is a senator from North Carolina and is thought to be a possible running mate for McCain.

1. Richard Burr was born on Nov. 30, 1955, in Charlottesville, Va. In 1963, his family moved to Winston-Salem, N.C.

2. Former Vice President Aaron Burr is a distant relative, 12 generations removed.

3. Burr attended Wake Forest University, where he played football. He received his bachelor's degree in communications in 1978.

4. He worked for Carswell Distributing Inc., a wholesale commercial products company, for 17 years. Starting as an appliance salesman, he worked his way up to the position of national sales manager.

5. Burr, angered about rising taxes in the early 1990s, decided to enter politics. He lost his first run for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992. He ran again in 1994 and won, part of the Republican revolution led by Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. He served five terms.

6. While in the House, Burr was a member of the Commerce Committee's subcommittee on energy and power. In 1999, the subcommittee took up a piece of legislation that would repeal a law aimed at conserving water that mandated new toilets be low-flow. Showing his sense of humor, Burr read his remarks off a roll of toilet paper.

7. In 2004, Burr ran for the U.S. Senate and won. Virginia Sen. George Allen, then chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, introduced Burr and six other incoming freshman senators as "the Magnificent Seven." Allen gave each a football inscribed with the percentage by which they won their race. Burr's said "53-47."

8. Burr's wife, Brooke, is a real estate agent. The couple have two sons, Tyler and William.

9. Burr's hobbies include hunting and working out.

10. A huge sports fan, Burr reportedly follows college football and basketball, as well as professional football and baseball.

Sources:
Austin American-Statesman
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress: Burr, Richard
Charlotte Observer
Herald-Sun
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
News & Observer
News & Record
Senator Richard Burr
United States Senator Richard Burr: Biography
Washington Post