CARBONDALE - U.S. Senate candidate Andy Martin visits Carbondale Friday, hosting a series of public events designed to get the word out on ideas he has to revitalize the Southern Illinois economy and develop a high-speed rail service connecting the area to other Midwest cities.

Martin, a Connecticut native, University of Illinois graduate and public interest lawyer, is on the 2010 Republican ticket for the Senate seat previously held by President Barack Obama and currently occupied by Roland Burris, who won't be seeking re-election. Martin's primary opponent is Illinois 10th Congressional U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk of Highland Park.

Martin will host a "Meet the Candidate" breakfast at 8 a.m. in the Train Inn Bed and Breakfast at 406 E. Stoker Street in Carbondale and a town hall meeting from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in room 116 of the civic center, 200 S. Illinois Ave. In addition, Martin will visit Carbondale Main Street's Downtown Art and Wine Fair from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Main topics of conversation will be downstate economic revitalization and the development of a high-speed rail service for the region.

"I want to tie this state together, so that every region is connected to the world economy with a network of high-speed trains," Martin said. "A high-speed rail network will create quality infrastructure, quality jobs and add significant long-term value to the regional economy."

Martin's campaign will launch a new Web site, www.IllinoisHighSpeedTrains.com, Friday that provides more information about the push to build the transportation service.

caleb.hale@thesouthern.com

618-351-5090