Rick W. Allen | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 12th district |
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Assumed office January 3, 2015 |
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Preceded by | John Barrow |
Personal details | |
Born |
Augusta, Georgia, U.S. |
November 7, 1951
Nationality | American |
Political party | Republican |
Residence | Augusta, Georgia, U.S. |
Alma mater | Auburn University |
Occupation | Construction company owner |
Religion | Methodist |
Website | Official website |
Richard Wayne Allen (born November 7, 1951) is an American politician who serves Georgia's 12th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives elections, 2014. He took office on January 3, 2015.
Allen attended Auburn University and earned a degree in building construction. He is the founder of R.W. Allen and Associates, a construction company headquartered in Augusta.
Allen ran in the Republican primary for the 12th district against three other candidates. Allen advanced to the runoff, but lost to State Representative Lee Anderson, 49.7% to 50.3%. Anderson went on to lose the general election to incumbent John Barrow.
Allen ran again in 2014, this time making it to the general election. Allen defeated Barrow in the November election, in a result considered an upset even though the 12th had been made significantly more Republican in redistricting.
During a closed-door Republican meeting discussing an amendment that prohibited discrimination against LGBT workers, Allen read a Bible verse that says about homosexuals "they which commit such things are worthy of death." Allen told the assembled Republicans that they are "going to Hell" if they vote for the proposed anti-discrimination amendment.
After dozens were killed at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Allen offered prayers to the family of the victims but refused to apologize or retract his past comments stating that homosexuals were "worthy of death."
Allen lives in Augusta, Georgia. A Methodist, he is married to Robin Allen and has four children.