LOWERY ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR SHERIFF

Vying With Mahoney In Democratic Primary

Law enforcement administrator Robbie Lowery announced his candidacy
for Dane County sheriff this morning in front of the Madison
Municipal Building.

A group of about 20 people attended, including friends and community leaders.

"My mission is to provide Dane County with law enforcement services
it needs," Lowery said. "We must reach out to leaders, educators,
social workers and young people."

Lowery will be running in a democratic primary against veteran Dane
County sheriff's detective Dave Mahoney. The winner of the primary
will face Republican candidate Mike Hanson, a Dane County supervisor
and Madison Police Department spokesman, to replace retiring Sheriff
Gary Hamblin in the November election.

Lowery said his experience as director of the Administrative Services
Bureau in the Wisconsin Department of Justice distinguishes him from
other candidates.

"I am the one with management experience," he said. "I put good
people in power."

As director, Lowery created a cold case unit where senior detectives
re-examine evidence from unsolved crimes and questioned convictions.

"We must never forget unsolved homicides," he said.

Like Hanson and Mahoney, Lowery said a crowded jail system and gang
violence are major concerns.

Lowery stressed that mental health issues need to be addressed,
noting some inmates incarcerated for drugs and nonviolent offenses
would be better reformed in a hospital setting than in a jail.

Lowery, an African-American, said the Sheriff's Office should reach
out to minorities and work to end discrimination, noting that he
himself has experienced injustice.

Assistant Attorney General David Hart said he fully supported Lowery.

Hart said they have been friends and fellow parishioners at S.S.
Morris A.M.E. Church for 10 years.

He said that Lowery is interested in not only what happens when
people are incarcerated, but how they get to that state and chances
of recidivism once they get out.

"Law enforcement is a community issue as well," Hart said.

Dane County Supervisor Elaine DeSmidt said she supported Lowery
because of his experience.

"He's wonderfully balanced in law enforcement," she said. "He's also
a schooled man in budget."

Lowery has previous experience as a police officer and detective in
Beloit and later as a sergeant working with a crime prevention
program in Milwaukee.

During his candidacy, Lowery said he is taking a leave of absence
from his job to gain support and raise money, but already felt welcomed.

"I am humbled by the showing of support this morning," Lowery said.