State Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) on Wednesday announced his intentions to seek reelection to the Alabama State Senate, District 21.
The senator is seeking a fourth term in the legislature’s upper chamber. The West Alabama lawmaker previously served 16 years in the Alabama House of Representatives.
The seasoned senator credited fiscally conservative policies to economic and budgetary accomplishments.
“Tuscaloosa and Western Alabama are growing. I’m proud of what our area has accomplished. I’m committed to ensuring that our pro-business, pro-growth economic atmosphere remains,” said Allen.
“The pandemic has tested our social and economic resilience, but I know we are on the way back. Financially, our state budgets are recovering far better than most other states because of our conservative approach to the state budgets. I’ve long championed that conservative approach, and I’ll continue to work hard to keep taxes low and fight wasteful spending,” stated Allen.
Allen says he shares the concerns of constituents regarding secure elections.
“Everywhere I go, people ask me about election integrity. Thankfully, we don’t have the kinds of problems we saw in Georgia last year. I’m proud to have sponsored Alabama’s photo ID voter law. That law has helped ensure that we have safe and fair elections in Alabama,” said Allen.
“There is so much coming down from Washington right now,” he continued. “Whether it is a federal takeover of our elections, critical race theory, or the cancel culture, I’m going to push back against the liberal left and make sure that Alabama sets an example for the rest of the nation to follow.”
Throughout his career in public service, Allen has consistently promoted socially conservative policies regarding cultural issues. Last session, he sponsored SB 12, a bill to propose a constitutional amendment that would have required Alabama public schools to play the national anthem at least once per week and at all public school sporting events. The bill failed to garner the support necessary to advance the legislature.
Earlier this year, Allen was successful in his efforts to extend the coal severance tax, which will maintain important funding for West Alabama counties. The fee, which is levied upon the amount of extracted coal, was slated to expire this year. Due to Allen’s passage of the legislation, the tax will now be extended until 2031.
Sen. Allen is a lifelong resident of Tuscaloosa. He graduated from Holt High School and earned a degree from the University of Alabama. Allen and his wife, Sheila Bailey Allen of Taylorville, have been married for 47 years. He and his wife are active members of Gilgal Baptist Church in Duncanville where Allen serves as a Deacon.
The senator serves on the Confirmations, Finance & Taxation Education, Finance & Taxation General Fund, Rules, Transportation & Energy committees.
Alabama Senate District 21 includes parts of Lamar, Pickens and Tuscaloosa Counties.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.