Difference between revisions of "Allen West"
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|term_end=July 11, 2021 | |term_end=July 11, 2021 | ||
|preceded=[[James Dickey]] | |preceded=[[James Dickey]] | ||
| − | |succeeded= | + | |succeeded=former state Representative Matt Rinaldi |
|office2=[[U.S. Representative]] for [[Florida]]'s<br>22nd Congressional District | |office2=[[U.S. Representative]] for [[Florida]]'s<br>22nd Congressional District | ||
|term_start2=January 3, 2011 | |term_start2=January 3, 2011 | ||
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A [[Tea Party]] favorite, West announced on July 4, 2021 his candidacy for [[Texas]] governor in the 2022 midterms elections to challenge incumbent [[establishment]] Republican [[Greg Abbott]].<ref>Oshin, Olafimihan (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 Texas Gov. Greg 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> | A [[Tea Party]] favorite, West announced on July 4, 2021 his candidacy for [[Texas]] governor in the 2022 midterms elections to challenge incumbent [[establishment]] Republican [[Greg Abbott]].<ref>Oshin, Olafimihan (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 Texas Gov. Greg 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> | ||
| + | |||
==Military service== | ==Military service== | ||
His military career includes serving in several combat zones: [[Operation Desert Storm]], [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] (in which he was battalion commander for the Army's 4th Infantry Division), and [[Afghanistan]], where he trained Afghan officers. | His military career includes serving in several combat zones: [[Operation Desert Storm]], [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] (in which he was battalion commander for the Army's 4th Infantry Division), and [[Afghanistan]], where he trained Afghan officers. | ||
Revision as of 20:06, July 12, 2021
| Allen Bernard West | |
 | |
Chairman of the
Texas Republican Party | |
| In office July 20, 2020 – July 11, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | James Dickey |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | former state Representative Matt Rinaldi |
| In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Ron Klein |
| Succeeded by | Lois Frankel |
| Born | February 7, 1961 Atlanta, Georgia |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Angela West |
| Children | Two children |
| Religion | Christian[1] |
Military Service
| |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1982–2004 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Commands | 20th Field Artillery 4th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Persian Gulf War Iraq War |
Allen Bernard West (born February 7, 1961 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a candidate for the governor of Texas and the outgoing state chairman of the Texas Republican Party.[2][3] 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.
A Tea Party favorite, West announced on July 4, 2021 his candidacy for Texas governor in the 2022 midterms elections to challenge incumbent establishment Republican Greg Abbott.[4] 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 Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to complete the border wall that Abbott then moved on the issue.[5]
Contents
Military service
His military career includes serving in several combat zones: Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom (in which he was battalion commander for the Army's 4th Infantry Division), and Afghanistan, where he trained Afghan officers.
Political career
Liberal exploitation of early voting and questionable ballots caused the liberal media to insist just as the numbers had likely wrongfully stated that West lost his 2012 reelection bid to Democrat Patrick Murphy by a mere 0.7%.[6] West contested the election; however, he conceded on November 20, 2012, citing "high evidentiary hurdles."[7][8]
West left Florida after his congressional defeat and relocated to Texas. He is the new state Republican party chairman, having unseated the four-year incumbent, James Dickey, at the first of the party's two summer conventions in an early morning vote by state senatorial districts on July 20, 2020.[9] However West announced that effective July 11, 2021 he will step down as state GOP chairman; it is believed he plans to run for political office in Texas, either for the 32nd Congressional District (currently held by Democrat Colin Allred; the district is a swing district which leans and is trending Democrat) or to run against Governor Greg Abbott (a move which, if successful, would virtually guarantee a Democrat flip of the governorship).
Personal life
He is the President and CEO of The Hope Center, a non-profit in Plano, Texas which operates a commercial office building complex providing reduced rent and office services to non-profit organizations (including notable ones such as I Am Second and Joni and Friends).[10]
He is married to Angela West, and the couple has two children.
After a year as Texas GOP chairman, West resigned to challenge Governor Greg Abbott in the primary scheduled for March 1, 2022. With West's candidacy imminent, Abbott suddenly agreed to spend state funds to complete gaps in the border wall, as West had called upon him to do.[11]
Education
West received his bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee and his master's degree from Kansas State University, 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.
Quotes
| “ | His parents instilled in him a very basic principle, love of God and Country.[12] | ” |
| “ | If Joseph Goebbels was around, he’d be very proud of the Democrat Party, because they have an incredible propaganda machine.[13] | ” |
External links
References
- ↑ Allen West
- ↑ Manjarres, Javier. Allen West wins Texas GOP Chairmanship, Texas Politics, July 20, 2020.
- ↑ Waltens, Brandon. Allen West Declares Victory in Race to Lead Texas GOP, Texas Scorecard, July 20, 2020.
- ↑ Oshin, Olafimihan (July 4, 2021). Allen West announces GOP primary challenge to Abbott in Texas. The Hill. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ↑ https://noqreport.com/2021/06/11/allen-west-called-on-texas-to-secure-its-border-build-the-wall-greg-abbott-finally-agrees/
- ↑ Florida's 18th Congressional District elections, 2012
- ↑ http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/20/after-recount-west-concedes-in-tight-congressional-race/?hpt=hp_t2
- ↑ Sullivan, Sean. "Florida Rep. Allen West concedes", Washington Post, November 20, 2012. Retrieved on November 20, 2012.
- ↑ Patrick Svitek (July 20, 2020). Allen West unseats James Dickey to become Texas GOP chairman: West defeated Dickey, who was running for a second full term, early Monday morning at a tumultuous virtual state convention. The Texas Tribune.
- ↑ https://www.thehopecenter.org/management/allen-west
- ↑ Andy Hogue (June 4, 2021). Allen West To Resign As Texas GOP Chairman: ‘Prayerfully Considering’ Run For Governor. Thehayride.com. Retrieved on June 11, 2021.
- ↑ Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West: A Short Biography
- ↑ https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/199821-rep-west-nazi-goebbels-would-be-very-proud-of-the-democpublisher=rat-party
