Introduction
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.
Career
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.
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
- 2012
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.
- 2014
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.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Agriculture
- Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry
- Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
- Committee on Education and the Workforce
- Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training
- Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
Controversy
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."
Personal life
Allen lives in Augusta, Georgia. A Methodist, he is married to Robin Allen and has four children.