Retired Judge Don Lowery Challenging Kirk For GOP Senate Nomination

MARION, Ill. (AP) -- A retired southern Illinois judge says he wants to be a U.S. senator.

Sixty-two-year-old Don Lowery of Dixon Springs in Pope County says he'll be running as a Republican for the Senate seat now held by Roland Burris.

He announced his candidacy Friday during a Marion news conference.

The recently retired 26-year judge in Illinois' First Judicial Circuit ran unsuccessfully for a state appellate court seat in 1988.

Now, he says he's worried about the nation's struggling economy. He questions the corporate bailouts and what he says is excessive spending in Washington.

Burris, who was appointed to the seat in December by embattled former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, has opted not to seek a full term because of fundraising challenges.

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Information from WSIU-FM: http://www.wsiu.org

-ASSOCIATED PRESS