Doris Allen (politician)

Doris Allen
Doris Allen
59th Speaker of the California State Assembly
	In office; June 5, 1995 – September 14, 1995
Preceded by	Willie Brown
Succeeded by	Brian Setencich
Member of the California State Assembly; from the 67th district
	In office; December 7, 1992 – November 28, 1995
Preceded by	Mickey Conroy
Succeeded by	Scott Baugh
Member of the California State Assembly; from the 71st district
	In office; December 6, 1982 – November 30, 1992
Preceded by	Chet Wray
Succeeded by	Mickey Conroy
Personal details
Born	Doris Jean Frazee; May 26, 1936; Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Died	September 22, 1999 (aged 63); Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	James Allen (m. 1967⁠–⁠1988); Elmer James Herbertson
Children	2

Doris Jean Allen (May 26, 1936 – September 22, 1999) was an American politician from California. Allen 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. Allen was the first woman to be elected to that office.

Early life and education

Allen was born in Kansas City, Missouri and raised in Cypress, California.^[1]

Career

Before entering politics, Allen 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.

California State Assembly

On November 2, 1982, Allen won the election and became a member of California State Assembly for the 71st district. Allen unseated Chester B. Wray with 51.6% of the votes.^[2]^[3]

Based in Huntington Beach,^[4] She compiled a relatively conservative record with special attention to environmental protection for her coastal district. Republicans gained a one-vote majority in the House in 1995, threatening longtime Democratic Speaker Willie Brown's 15-year tenure. At first, Brown persuaded moderate Republican turned Independent Paul Horcher to keep him in power.^[5]

Recall

Meanwhile, Allen was running in a special election for the California State Senate. However, GOP party leaders endorsed fellow assemblyman Ross Johnson, who had moved into the district to run. Allen lost the election. When Horcher was recalled from office and replaced by a more loyal Republican, Speaker Brown convinced a still-angry Allen to vote with Democrats and become speaker herself. However, 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 was succeeded by 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 electing Pringle as Speaker in January 1996. Setencich himself was defeated for reelection in that June's GOP primary.^[6]

Following her recall, Allen eventually moved away from California, though she did make a final bid for her old seat in 1998.

Personal life

On September 22, 1999, Allen died from cancer in Colorado Springs. Allen was 63 years old.^[7]

References

^ "The Assembly's New Speaker: Hometown Happy for 'What's Her Name' : Reaction: Some of the folks in Cypress have trouble placing Doris Allen, but they appreciate her success in becoming California Assembly's first female Speaker". Los Angeles Times. 1995-06-06. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
^ "November 2, 1982 General Election". joincalifornia.com. November 2, 1982. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
^ "Doris Allen". joincalifornia.com. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
^ Schroeder takes aim at GOP 'turncoat,' prepares recall drive - The Orange County Register Retrieved 2016-12-24.
^ "JoinCalifornia - Doris Allen". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
^ "Doris Allen recall, California (1995)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
^ "Doris Allen, First Female Speaker, Dies : Obituary: O.C. political pioneer was a GOP pariah in final years. Cancer claims her at 63". Los Angeles Times. September 23, 1999. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)()

External links

[1] "The Assembly's New Speaker: Hometown Happy for 'What's Her Name' : Reaction: Some of the folks in Cypress have trouble placing Doris Allen, but they appreciate her success in becoming California Assembly's first female Speaker". Los Angeles Times. 1995-06-06. Retrieved 2022-02-21.

[2] "November 2, 1982 General Election". joincalifornia.com. November 2, 1982. Retrieved December 12, 2019.

[3] "Doris Allen". joincalifornia.com. Retrieved December 12, 2019.

[4] Schroeder takes aim at GOP 'turncoat,' prepares recall drive - The Orange County Register Retrieved 2016-12-24.

[5] "JoinCalifornia - Doris Allen". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved 2022-02-21.

[6] "Doris Allen recall, California (1995)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-02-21.

[7] "Doris Allen, First Female Speaker, Dies : Obituary: O.C. political pioneer was a GOP pariah in final years. Cancer claims her at 63". Los Angeles Times. September 23, 1999. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)()

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