The last senator to hold Illinois' class three Senate seat (what does that mean?) for longer than a single term was Alan Dixon. The downstate Democrat lasted two terms, from 1981 to 1993. Dixon, now with a St. Louis law firm, blames his loss in the 1992 Democratic primary to Carol Moseley Braun on his vote to confirm Clarence Thomas' nomination to the Supreme Court. dixon loss Here's Dixon listing his career accomplishments. dixon list And here he is commenting (but not really commenting) on Senator Roland Burris' current difficulties. dixon burris Related: Check out our story on Illinois' revolving door Senate seat And watch this audio slideshow featuring the recent politicians to hold this seat: