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'''Allen Bernard West''' (born February 7, 1961 in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]]) is a [[conservative]] former candidate for governor of [[Texas]]. He finished second to incumbent [[Greg Abbott]] in the [[Republican Party|Republican]]

'''Allen Bernard West''' (born February 7, 1961 in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]]) is a [[conservative]] former candidate for governor of [[Texas]]. He finished second to incumbent [[Greg Abbott]] in the [[Republican Party|Republican]]

[[primary]] held on March 1, 2022. The lengthy [[early voting]] period in Texas ran from February 14-25, 2002.<ref>https://www.myhighplains.com/news/your-local-election-hq/eligible-texas-voters-need-to-register-by-jan-31-to-cast-ballot-in-march-1-primary-election/</ref> He is the former state chairman of the Texas GOP.<ref>Manjarres, Javier. [https://texaspolitics.com/2020/07/20/allen-west-wins-texas-gop-chairmanship/ Allen West wins Texas GOP Chairmanship], ''Texas Politics'', July 20, 2020. </ref><ref>Brandon Waltens [https://texasscorecard.com/state/allen-west-declares-victory-in-race-to-lead-texas-gop/ Allen West Declares Victory in Race to Lead Texas GOP], ''Texas Scorecard'', July 20, 2020.</ref> He is also a former [[United States Representative]] for [[Florida]]'s 22nd congressional district. He previously has served in the [[United States Army]] as a [[Lieutenant Colonel]].

[[primary]] held on March 1, 2022. The lengthy [[early voting]] period in Texas ran from February 14-25, 2002.<ref>https://www.myhighplains.com/news/your-local-election-hq/eligible-texas-voters-need-to-register-by-jan-31-to-cast-ballot-in-march-1-primary-election/</ref> He is the former state chairman of the Texas GOP.<ref>Manjarres, Javier. [https://texaspolitics.com/2020/07/20/allen-west-wins-texas-gop-chairmanship/ Allen West wins Texas GOP Chairmanship], ''Texas Politics'', July 20, 2020. </ref><ref>Brandon Waltens [https://texasscorecard.com/state/allen-west-declares-victory-in-race-to-lead-texas-gop/ Allen West Declares Victory in Race to Lead Texas GOP], ''Texas Scorecard,'' July 20, 2020.</ref> He is also a former [[United States Representative]] for [[Florida]]'s 22nd congressional district. He previously has served in the [[United States Army]] as a [[Lieutenant Colonel]].

Allen West's campaign motto is “Defending the Texas Republic.”<ref>https://west4texas.com/</ref> A [[Tea Party]] favorite, West announced on July 4, 2021 his candidacy for [[Texas]] governor in the [[2022 midterm elections]] to challenge incumbent [[establishment]] Republican Governor Greg Abbott.<ref>Olafimihan Oshin (July 4, 2021). [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/561536-allen-west-announces-gop-primary-challenge-to-abbott-in-texas Allen West announces GOP primary challenge to Abbott in Texas]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved July 5, 2021.</ref>  Central to West's campaign is his [[conservative]] opposition to the [[Green New Deal]].  It was only after West released a video on May 23, 2021, for Abbott to complete the border wall that Abbott then moved on the issue.<ref>https://noqreport.com/2021/06/11/allen-west-called-on-texas-to-secure-its-border-build-the-wall-greg-abbott-finally-agrees/</ref>  In Texas there is a runoff election if no one receives more than 50%, and the [[Republican]] runoffs usually favor the most conservative candidate. With [[conservative]], well-financed Don Huffines also in this race and campaigning on "finish the wall, secure our elections, and ban vaccine mandates,"<ref>https://donhuffines.com/</ref> it may be difficult for Abbott to reach 50% and the incumbent Abbott could then be defeated by West or Huffines in a runoff.

Allen West's campaign motto is “Defending the Texas Republic.”<ref>https://west4texas.com/</ref> A [[Tea Party]] favorite, West announced on July 4, 2021 his candidacy for [[Texas]] governor in the [[2022 midterm elections]] to challenge incumbent [[establishment]] Republican Governor Greg Abbott.<ref>Olafimihan Oshin (July 4, 2021). [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/561536-allen-west-announces-gop-primary-challenge-to-abbott-in-texas Allen West announces GOP primary challenge to Abbott in Texas]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved July 5, 2021.</ref>  Central to West's campaign is his [[conservative]] opposition to the [[Green New Deal]].  It was only after West released a video on May 23, 2021, for Abbott to complete the border wall that Abbott then moved on the issue.<ref>https://noqreport.com/2021/06/11/allen-west-called-on-texas-to-secure-its-border-build-the-wall-greg-abbott-finally-agrees/</ref>  In Texas there is a runoff election if no one receives more than 50 percent plus one vote, and the Republican runoffs often favor the more conservative candidate. With [[conservative]], well-financed [[Don Huffines]] also in this race and campaigning on "finish the wall, secure our elections, and ban vaccine mandates,"<ref>https://donhuffines.com/</ref>  

==Personal life==

==Personal life==

West received his bachelor's degree from the [[University of Tennessee]] at [[Knoxville]] and his master's degree from [[Kansas State University]] in Manhattan, [[Kansas]], both in political science. He also holds a Master's of Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military operations. In addition, West taught a year of high school in Broward County, Florida. He had the support of the [[Senate Conservatives Fund]] and the [[Tea Party Movement]].

West received his bachelor's degree from the [[University of Tennessee]] at [[Knoxville]] and his master's degree from [[Kansas State University]] in Manhattan, [[Kansas]], both in political science. He also holds a Master's of Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military operations. In addition, West taught a year of high school in Broward County, Florida. He had the support of the [[Senate Conservatives Fund]] and the [[Tea Party Movement]].