Rick W. Allen

Rick W. Allen
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 12th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2015
Preceded by	John Barrow
Personal details
Born	November 7, 1951 Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Residence	Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
Alma mater	Auburn University
Occupation	Construction company owner
Religion	Methodist[1]
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.

In May 2016, Allen read a passage from Romans which condemns homosexuality ("they which commit such things are worthy of death”) during a meeting of the House Republican Conference as the House was preparing vote on a gay rights amendment.^[2]

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.^[3]

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%.^[4] 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.^[5][6]

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 he misinterpreted as saying about homosexuals "they which commit such things are worthy of death." ^[7][8] Allen told the assembled Republicans that they are "going to Hell" if they vote for the proposed anti-discrimination amendment. ^[9]

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." ^{[10] [11]}

Personal life

Allen lives in Augusta, Georgia. A Methodist, he is married to Robin Allen and has four children.

References

1. "Members of Congress: Religious Affiliations". Pew Research Center. January 5, 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
2. Peters, Jeremy W.; Alvarez, Lizette (2016-06-15). "After Orlando, a Political Divide on Gay Rights Still Stands". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
3. "Project Vote Smart – The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
4. Vote recount certifies Lee Anderson as winner of GOP runoff for U.S. District 12 seat
5. "Nunn, Carter, and Barrow defeated; Georgia's Democratic revolution is stillborn – Political Insider blog". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
6. "Rick Allen upsets John Barrow for Georgia congressional seat". Ajc.com. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
7. "'It was f**king ridiculous': Some GOP lawmakers ditch meeting after representative tries to shame them with Bible passage on homosexuality that does not call gays 'reprobate' and 'worthy of death'". Daily Mail. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
8. "After Orlando, a Political Divide on Gay Rights Still Stands". New York Times. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
9. "GOP Congressman Quotes Bible, Tells Republicans They Are 'Going to Hell' if They Vote for LGBT Bill". The New Civil Rights Movement. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
10. "Congressman Who Read Anti-Gay Bible Verse Prays for Orlando Victims' Loved Ones". Roll Call. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
11. "After Orlando, a Political Divide on Gay Rights Still Stands". New York Times. Retrieved 16 June 2016.

External links

• Congressman Rick Allen official U.S. House site
• Rick Allen for Congress
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Project Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress