Lowell Barron
Encyclopedia
Lowell Ray Barron is a successful businessman and a former member of the Alabama Senate, representing the 8th District since 1982. Barron, who is a Democrat, was elected President Pro Tem of the Alabama Senate from 1999 to 2007. After serving seven terms in the state Senate, he was defeated by 500 votes in one of Alabama's most shocking 2010 general election upsets by political newcomer Republican Shadrack McGill. Alabama's 8th Senate district includes all of Jackson County and parts of DeKalb and Madison Counties.
Barron was born in Jackson County. He received his Bachelor of Science
degree
in pharmacy
from Auburn University
and, in 1965, opened a pharmacy in Fyffe. He was elected Mayor of Fyffe in 1968, a position he held until 1982, when he was first elected to the Alabama Senate.
New elections for the state Senate and House were held in 1983 after district lines were redrawn, and the Alabama Democratic Party picked nominees rather than holding new primary elections. After serving in the Senate for one year, Barron was not selected as the Democratic nominee. He subsequently waged the first and only successful write-in campaign for the Alabama Legislature and won the Democratic nomination. Barron encouraged people to write in “Lowell Barron” with the “itty bitty pencils” his campaign distributed, and his write-in campaign still stands as one of the most successful in American history. The Senate district contained three counties (DeKalb, Jackson and Madison), but Barron received write-in votes in 26 of Alabama’s 67 counties.
Barron was elected by the full Senate as president pro tempore
for two terms (1999–2007). In 1999, the Democratic-held legislature stripped much of the powers of the Republican Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, who was the presiding officer of the Alabama Senate. Senators changed the Senate rules to give those much of those powers it to the President Pro Tempore, which increased Barron's influence. Barron was reelected as President Pro Tem in 2003. After the 2006 elections, Barron did not run for Pro Tem but instead was appointed Chair of the powerful Senate Rules Committee. Democrat Senator Hinton Mitchem
succeeded Barron as Pro Tem in 2007.
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 accused Barron of using profanity while the Senate was in recess
during an "animated conversation." Bishop punched Barron in the face. Fellow Senators Parker Griffith
and Bobby Denton and others saw the attack and restrained Bishop.
Barron has four children, and eight grandchildren. He resides in Rainsville, Alabama
. He is a Baptist
. Barron is an Auburn fan and served on the Auburn University Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2003. He lists golf
, gardening, family and tennis
as his hobbies.
Barron was born in Jackson County. He received his Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
in pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
from Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
and, in 1965, opened a pharmacy in Fyffe. He was elected Mayor of Fyffe in 1968, a position he held until 1982, when he was first elected to the Alabama Senate.
New elections for the state Senate and House were held in 1983 after district lines were redrawn, and the Alabama Democratic Party picked nominees rather than holding new primary elections. After serving in the Senate for one year, Barron was not selected as the Democratic nominee. He subsequently waged the first and only successful write-in campaign for the Alabama Legislature and won the Democratic nomination. Barron encouraged people to write in “Lowell Barron” with the “itty bitty pencils” his campaign distributed, and his write-in campaign still stands as one of the most successful in American history. The Senate district contained three counties (DeKalb, Jackson and Madison), but Barron received write-in votes in 26 of Alabama’s 67 counties.
Barron was elected by the full Senate as president pro tempore
President pro tempore
A President pro tempore is a constitutionally recognized officer of a legislative body who presides over the chamber in the absence of the normal presiding officer...
for two terms (1999–2007). In 1999, the Democratic-held legislature stripped much of the powers of the Republican Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, who was the presiding officer of the Alabama Senate. Senators changed the Senate rules to give those much of those powers it to the President Pro Tempore, which increased Barron's influence. Barron was reelected as President Pro Tem in 2003. After the 2006 elections, Barron did not run for Pro Tem but instead was appointed Chair of the powerful Senate Rules Committee. Democrat Senator Hinton Mitchem
Hinton Mitchem
Hinton Mitchem is a former Democratic member of the Alabama Senate, representing the 9th District from 1979 to January 1987 and then again from June 1987 to January 2011. He first entered politics as a member of the Albertville, Alabama City Council in 1968...
succeeded Barron as Pro Tem in 2007.
Barron made national news in June 2007 when fellow Senator Charles Bishop
Charles Bishop (Alabama senator)
Charles Bishop was a Republican member of the Alabama Senate, representing the 5th District from 2006 to 2010. He did not seek re-election in 2010. The district covers portions of Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Winston counties. He was succeeded by fellow Republican Greg Reed.As a Democrat,...
, a Republican, hit Barron while on the Senate floor. According to the Birmingham News
The Birmingham News
The Birmingham News is the principal daily newspaper for Birmingham, Alabama, United States, and the largest newspaper in Alabama. The paper is owned by Advance Publications...
Bishop accused Barron of using profanity while the Senate was in recess
Recess (motion)
In parliamentary procedure, "recess" refers to legislative bodies—such as parliaments, assemblies, juries—that are released to reassemble at a later time. The members may leave the meeting room, but are expected to remain nearby. A recess may be simply to allow a break or it may be...
during an "animated conversation." Bishop punched Barron in the face. Fellow Senators Parker Griffith
Parker Griffith
Parker Griffith, M.D. is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party, having switched from the Democratic Party on December 22, 2009, but lost the Republican primary and his term ended in January 2011.-Early life, education and...
and Bobby Denton and others saw the attack and restrained Bishop.
Barron has four children, and eight grandchildren. He resides in Rainsville, Alabama
Rainsville, Alabama
Rainsville is a city in DeKalb County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 4,499. Rainsville is located on top of Sand Mountain.Rainsville was incorporated in October 1956....
. He is a Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
. Barron is an Auburn fan and served on the Auburn University Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2003. He lists golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, gardening, family and tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
as his hobbies.
External links
- Alabama State Legislature - Senator Lowell Ray Barron official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Lowell Ray Barron (AL) profile
- Follow the Money - Lowell R. Barron