(Left to right) State Senator Gary Forby, Don Patton, Diane Meeks, and State Representative Brandon Phelps were gathered at Tuesday’s reception.

Senate Candidates in Southern Illinois

1/20/10
Shannon Woodworth - Shawnee News Service

Don Patton, vice chairperson for the Shawnee Community College Board of Trustees, attended a private reception at the Carbondale home of Sheila Simon (daughter of the late US Senator Paul Simon) where all of the Democratic candidates for US Senate gathered Tuesday. The candidates include Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman, Chicago Urban League CEO Cheryle R. Jackson, and attorney Jacob Meister. About 200 others also attended the reception including a number of state officials, judges, law enforcement officers, and Southern Illinois dignitaries. Patton is an SIUC employee and resident of Cairo.