An independent candidate for the state Legislature who was arrested in Eliot faces charges of burglary and domestic-violence stalking.

David Burke, 52, was arrested Friday morning. Eliot Police Chief Theodor Short said a woman called police after Burke entered her house without permission.

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David Burke

Short said the woman locked herself in her bathroom and called police. Police arrested Burke on the woman’s property early Friday morning.

Burke had a prior relationship with the woman, who secured a protection-from-abuse order against him last year. Short said it’s the second time that Burke has been charged with breaking the terms of the protection order.

Burke was arrested Aug. 19 and charged with trying to contact the woman via text message. That case is still pending.

Burke is a South Berwick town councilor. He is running as an independent in House District 146 against Democratic Rep. Mark Eves and Republican Burnell Bailey.

In biographical information sent to the Portland Press Herald for an election preview, Burke described himself as a single father of two children. He lists his occupation as a self-employed financial planner.

He was elected to the South Berwick Town Council in 2010 to serve a three-year term. He couldn’t be reached at his home on Monday.

The burglary and domestic-violence stalking charges are felonies. Violating a protection-from-abuse order is a misdemeanor. Burglary charges are standard in cases when someone forcibly enters another person’s home, police said.

There are no rules preventing anyone with a felony conviction from running for legislative office, said Megan Sanborn, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of State’s Office.

Staff Writer Steve Mistler can be contacted at 791-6345 or at:

smistler@pressherald.com