Lowell Barron

Infobox State Senator


imagesize = 150px
name=Lowell Ray Barron


state_senate=Alabama
state=Alabama
district=8th
term=1983 -
preceded=
succeeded=Incumbent
date of birth=birth date and age|1942|04|22
place of birth=Jackson County, Alabama
date of death=
place of death=
spouse=Susan Holloway
profession=pharmacist and businessman
religion=Baptist
party=Democratic|

Lowell Ray Barron is a Democratic member of the USA Alabama Senate, representing the 8th District since 1983. His district includes parts of DeKalb, Jackson, and Madison counties.

Barron was born in Jackson County. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from Auburn University. Barron was a businessman before entering politics. He was elected as a write-in candidate to the Alabama Senate in 1983 (the first successful write-in candidate in the history of the Alabama Legislature.

Barron served as president "pro tempore" for two terms (1999–2007). In 1999, the Democratic-held legislature stripped much of the powers of the Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, who was the presiding officer of the Alabama Senate, then Republican Steve Windom) and gave it to the president "pro tempore", increasing Barron's influence. After the 2006 elections, in which the Republicans picked up two Senate seats, it became apparent that Barron would not win re-election as president "pro tempore". Barron stepped aside to allow fellow Democrat Hinton Mitchem to assume the duties of president "pro tempore". Barron continues to maintain a high-profile presence in the state senate as the chairman of the Rules Committee which allows him to basically control the Senate without the formal title of president "pro tempore".

Barron made national news in June 2007 when fellow Senator Charles Bishop, a Republican, hit Barron while on the Senate floor. According to the "Birmingham News" Bishop claims that Barron called him a "son of a bitch" while the Senate was in recess during an "animated conversation." Bishop hit Barron in the face suddenly, and Barron fell back onto a desk. Patrick Harris, assistant secretary of the Senate, saw the attack and restrained Bishop. [Johnson, Bob. "Ala. lawmaker punches Senate colleague." Associated Press. 7 June 2007.]

Barron has two children, two step children with a past wife, and five grandchildren. He resides in Fyffe, Alabama. He is a Baptist and is a former member of the Auburn University board of trustees. He lists hunting, golf, and tennis as his hobbies.

Controversy

Barron co-sponsored a bill thru the legislature in 1996 which gives state legislators immunity for traffic law violations if they are traveling on state business. This was after he had been pulled over more than once for speeding offenses. The Birmingham News posted an editorial on November 24, 2007 challenging this law and asking it to be repealed. It is known as the "Speed Barron" law. "Birmingham News" In July 2008, he was pulled over for exceeding 100 miles per hour near Andaulsia, Alabama police. He claims he had been tailgated by a motorcyclist which caused him to drive at excessive speeds. "Birmingham News"

References

External links

* [http://www.legislature.state.al.us/senate/senators/senatebios/sd008.html Alabama State Legislature - Senator Lowell Ray Barron] official government website
* [http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=5591 Project Vote Smart - Senator Lowell Ray Barron (AL)] profile
*"Follow the Money" - Lowell R. Barron
** [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=20062&c=419766 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=20022&c=18981 2002] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=19982&c=107 1998] campaign contributions