Bill was active in politics from the time he first attended college where he was involved in student politics on the conservative side, arranging peaceful demonstrations on behalf of free speech on campus for American corporations and the right for ROTC to recruit on campus, among other causes.

He worked as National Youth Director for President Ford's campaign, and was a political operative for the California Republican Party.

As a close ally of then Mayor Pete Wilson, Lowery supported development of the San Diego Trolley, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Horton Plaza.

In 1980, Lowery was elected to Congress from California's 41st congressional district, which included most of San Diego, after 28-year incumbent Bob Wilson retired.

[1] Lowery owns two homes, a townhouse on Capitol Hill, and a 14-acre (0.06 km2) waterfront property in King William County, Virginia.