Doris Allen (politician)

Doris Allen (politician)

Doris J. Allen (born May 26, 1936 in Kansas City, Missouri – died September 22, 1999, Colorado Springs) served in the California Assembly from 1982 to 1995, representing part of Orange County, and as Speaker of that body from June 5 to September 14, 1995, before being recalled from office.

Before entering politics, she owned a successful household lighting store. An amateur actress, she played the title role in the musical "Mame" in productions by the Westminster Community Theater and Sebastian's West in the early 1970s. She was first elected to the California State Assembly in 1982 when she unseated Democratic incumbent Chet Wray. She compiled a relatively conservative record with special attention to environmental protection for her coastal district. Republicans gained a one-vote majority in 1995, threatening longtime Democratic Speaker Willie Brown's 15 year hold on power. Brown at first persuaded moderate Republican turned Independent Paul Horcher to vote for him and keep him in power. Meanwhile Allen was running in a special election for her area State Senate seat. She became enraged when GOP party leaders officially endorsed a fellow assemblyman (Ross Johnson) with a more conservative voting record than hers and who had moved into the district to run. Allen lost the race. After Horcher was recalled from office and replaced by a loyal Republican, Brown convinced a still-angry Allen to vote with Democrats and essentially become Speaker. Brown got Allen elected, but in name only since Brown continued to lead the legislative body as head of the Democratic caucus.

Allen's defection outraged her Republican colleagues, led by Curt Pringle, as well as her Republican constituents, who in November 1995 recalled her from office. Before her removal, Allen resigned as Speaker and handed the gavel over to another Republican who backed Brown, Brian Setencich. However, when Brown resigned his seat in the State Assembly to be sworn in as mayor of San Francisco, Setencich lost that vote, restoring the Republicans' majority and allowing them to elect Pringle as Speaker in January 1996. Setencich himself was defeated for reelection in that June's GOP primary.

Following her recall, Allen turned her back on politics, and eventually moved away from California. She did make one last quixotic bid for her old seat in 1998. Allen died of stomach and colon cancer at her home in Colorado Springs on September 22, 1999.

California Assembly
Preceded by
Chester B. "Chet" Wray
California State Assemblymember
71st District
1982–1992
Succeeded by
Mickey Conroy
Preceded by
Mickey Conroy
California State Assemblymember
67th District
1992–1995
Succeeded by
Scott Baugh
Political offices
Preceded by
Willie Brown
Speaker of the California State Assembly
June 5, 1995–September 14, 1995
Succeeded by
Brian Setencich



Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Doris Allen — may refer to: Doris Twitchell Allen (1901–2002), American psychologist and founder of Children s International Summer Villages Doris Allen (politician) (1936–1999), California politician This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the …   Wikipedia

  • Doris Twitchell Allen — Allen (left) with her husband. Born October 8, 1901 …   Wikipedia

  • Willie Brown (politician) — Willie Brown, Jr. Brown in February 2006 41st Mayor of San Francisco In office January 8, 1996 – January 8, 2004 Preceded by Frank J …   Wikipedia

  • William F. Allen — This article is about a 20th Century US politician and businessman. For the 19th century diplomant to the Kingdom of Hawaii, see William Fessenden Allen. For the 19th century classical scholar, see William Francis Allen. William F. Allen Member… …   Wikipedia

  • Dick Kelsey (politician) — For the art director, see Dick Kelsey. Dick Kelsey Member of the Kansas Senate from the 26th district Incumbent Assumed office January 03, 2009 Preceded by Phillip B. Journey …   Wikipedia

  • Nolan Frizzelle — (born October 16, 1921 in Los Angeles, California) is a Republican politician who represented Orange County in the California State Assembly from 1980 until 1992. In 1992, he was defeated for renomination by Doris Allen after they were… …   Wikipedia

  • List of people from Ohio — The following is a list of famous people born in Ohio and people who spent significant periods of their lives living in Ohio.Journalists, Photojournalists, Writers, Cartoonists, Poets, Authors, Playwrights, Screen Writers, Film Directors, Film… …   Wikipedia

  • Mickey Conroy — Mickey Conroy, Maj. USMC Ret. (November 1, 1927 – September 20, 2005) was an American politician who served as a California State Assemblyman from 1991 to 1996. Conroy once gained notoriety in the mid 1990s for sponsoring a bill that permitted… …   Wikipedia

  • Recall election — A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office. Recall elections in the United StatesAlong with the initiative, the referendum, and the direct primary, the recall election was one of the major… …   Wikipedia

  • Scott Baugh — Scott Randall Baugh (born July 4 1962) is a Republican U.S. politician, who served in the California State Assembly from 1995 2000, representing the 67th District in coastal Orange County, which included Huntington Beach, Cypress, Fountain Valley …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”