Allen campaigns in Demopolis with talk to Rotarians

Wes Allen brought his campaign for Alabama Secretary of State to Demopolis Wednesday when he told Demopolis Rotarians his primary reason for running for the office: “Elections matter.”

Allen now represents Alabama House District 89 that includes Pike and Dale counties. He hopes to succeed Jim Merrill whose term limit prevents him from holding the office another four years.

The Secretary of State is the chief election official. As a former probate judge for Pike County, a post he held for 10 years, Allen said it is important to have someone in the state office who knows the ins and outs of elections.

He emphasized the need for a strong, efficient, safe and secure election process. “We saw what happened in other states when they let things get out of hand.”

He is proud of the bills he sponsored to ban curbside voting and prevent private money from being used to pay for elections.

The Secretary of State also is responsible for overseeing Alabama’s business filings. The business administration side of the job is “where economic development starts,” he said.

Allen grew up in Cottondale. He told Rotarians that he had “great memories about Demopolis,” but as a member of the Holt High School baseball team, he said they never could beat DHS.

He was a walk-on to play for the University of Alabama under Gene Stallings’ last year. Weighing only 170 pounds, he learned to run fast and drop quickly.

After graduation he and his wife Cae moved to Troy. His career plans were to become an athletic director, but plans changed when he was appointed Probate Judge.

During his campaign travels, Allen said he has come to recognize the reason some areas are thriving. He complemented Marengo County. “I can tell when a community has strong leaders.”