Illinois Races: Don Lowery for Senator

Retired Circuit Court Judge Don Lowery is running for Roland Burris' Senate seat in the 2010 Republican Primaries. The 62-year-old from Dixon Springs served 26 years in the First Judicial Circuit of Illinois before retiring in 2006. He went on to host a public affairs AM radio show that focused on current issues affecting Illinois residents -- interviewing various public officials, doctors, social service providers, disaster preparedness officials and financial consultants.

In March 2009, Lowery commenced a listening tour for an opportunity to speak with people of Illinois regarding mutual concerns of employment, taxes, education, health care and many other issues. Three months later he announced his intent to run for the U.S. Senate.

He completed his Bachelor of Science in Economics at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He is a U. S. Army veteran who, while serving in Korea during the Pueblo Crisis, also volunteered for a tour of duty in Viet Nam. While serving in Viet Nam, he was promoted to Captain and was awarded the Bronze Star, Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal.

After completing law school, Lowery worked as a special prosecutor with the States Attorney Task Force, a public defender, Assistant States Attorney and then States Attorney of Massac County in downstate Illinois. Concerned with the return rate of repeat offenders, Lowery co-founded a project affiliated with the Illinois Department of Corrections that reduced recidivism to 3 percent, according to his campaign site. He also served as Chairman of the Probation Oversight Committee and taught constitutional law at Southeastern Illinois College.

Lowery does not support the "Cap and Trade" Bill, government stimulus packages, a state-run health care, abortion, illegal immigration and corporate bail-outs.

Campaign Site: JudgeLowery4USSenate.com