Lowell Barron

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Lowell Ray Barron

Member of the Alabama State Senate from the 8th district
In office 1983 -

Born	April 22, 1942 (1942-04-22) (age 66) Jackson County, Alabama
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Susan Holloway
Profession	pharmacist and businessman
Religion	Baptist

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Lowell Ray Barron is a Democratic member of the 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 new chairman of the important Rules Committee.

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.^[1]

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.

[edit] 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