Republican Sen. Gerald Allen Announces Re-Election Bid

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Amid news of three openings coming up in 2022 for Tuscaloosa's legislative delegation, one longtime policymaker has plans for another term.

State Sen. Gerald Allen, a 71-year-old Republican from Tuscaloosa, on Wednesday announced his plans to run for re-election to represent District 21, which covers parts of Lamar, Pickens, and Tuscaloosa counties.

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No other candidate have announced plans to oppose Allen in 2022. This also comes after three Tuscaloosa-area Republican policymakers announced they would not seek re-election: Rep. Rich Wingo, Rep. Rodney Sullivan and Rep. Bill Poole.

“Tuscaloosa and Western Alabama are growing," Allen said in a statement. "I’m proud of what our area has accomplished. I’m committed to ensuring that our pro-business, pro-growth economic atmosphere remains. 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."

Allen has served in the state legislature since 1994, before securing his senate seat in 2010. During his political career, Allen has been an ardent supporter of conservative policy, aligning closely with the agenda of former President Donald Trump.

In his announcement on Wednesday, Allen echoed many of the talking points that have become synonymous with the Trump presidency. Among these are hot-button issues such as election integrity and critical race theory.

“Thankfully, we don’t have the kinds of problems we saw in Georgia last year," Allen said. "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. There is so much coming down from Washington right now. 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."

In the last year, Allen tried unsuccessfully to get a bill sign into law that would have required majority support in a referendum vote by municipalities in Tuscaloosa County before any future sales or use tax increases could be implemented.

Separately, Allen has also been a proponent of easing restrictions on Alabama gun owners and allowing for the concealed carry of a handgun in a vehicle and certain public spaces without a permit. This measure, while receiving notable support from his side of the aisle during the 2021 Legislative Session, also came up short before making it to the governor's desk.

Allen, a graduate of Holt High School and the University of Alabama, has been married to his wife Sheila Bailey Allen for 47 years. They have three adult children: Wes, Kellie, and Jill, along with six grandchildren: Davis, DeeAna, McKinley, Ethan, Lucas and Kathryn.

His son — state Rep. Wes Allen, a Pike County Republican — also announced his bid several months ago to become the next secretary of state in Alabama.

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