Allen Wilson

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Allen Wilson

Democratic Party

Wayne County Commission District 11

Tenure

2025 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

0

Predecessor

Al Haidous

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Cooley High School

Bachelor's

Wayne State University, 1994

Graduate

Wayne State University, 2006

Personal

Birthplace

Detroit, Mich.

Religion

Baptist

Profession

Legislative assistant

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Allen Wilson (Democratic Party) is a member of the Wayne County Commission in Michigan, representing District 11. He assumed office on January 1, 2025. His current term ends on January 1, 2027.

Wilson (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Wayne County Commission to represent District 11 in Michigan. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Wilson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Allen Wilson was born in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Cooley High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University in 1994 and a graduate degree from Wayne State University in 2006. His career experience includes working as a legislative assistant. He has been affiliated with UAW and the City of Romulus Chamber of Commerce.

Elections

2024

See also: Municipal elections in Wayne County, Michigan (2024)

General election

General election for Wayne County Commission District 11

Allen Wilson won election in the general election for Wayne County Commission District 11 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Allen Wilson (D)	94.2	38,727
		Other/Write-in votes	5.8	2,396

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 41,123
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 11

Allen Wilson defeated Joe Richert, David Hotz, Tim Craiger, and Jeremy Cady in the Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 11 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Allen Wilson	30.3	3,014
		Joe Richert	23.6	2,347
		David Hotz	19.5	1,942
	Submit photo	Tim Craiger	17.1	1,696
		Jeremy Cady	8.9	880
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	64

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,943
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Wilson in this election.

2022

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 26

Dylan Wegela defeated James Townsend in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 26 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dylan Wegela (D)	67.8	20,470
		James Townsend (R)	32.2	9,721

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 30,191
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 26

Dylan Wegela defeated Steven Chisholm, Allen Wilson, and Stephen M. Patterson in the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 26 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dylan Wegela	42.1	3,614
		Steven Chisholm	29.7	2,548
		Allen Wilson	18.9	1,626
	Submit photo	Stephen M. Patterson	9.3	800

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,588
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 26

James Townsend advanced from the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 26 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Townsend	100.0	3,291

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,291
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Allen Wilson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wilson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a lifelong Democrat and community activist who has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the citizens in Wayne County. I was born and raised in Wayne County. My two daughters were also born and raised in Wayne County and attended school and work in Wayne County. My parents and grandparents were raised in Wayne County as well. Invariably, my passion is in this County and I will continue to do all that I can to help to improve the quality of life for the residents, not only in the city of Romulus, where I currently sit as a councilmember, but in surrounding communities as well.

I graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit; I attained a Bachelors Degree in Public Policy/Affairs from Wayne State University in 1994, as well as a Masters Degree in Dispute Resolution from Wayne State University in 2006. I also hold a State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) certificate of Mediation.

My current occupation is a proud UAW representative who proudly supports the fight for fairness on the job and the incessant struggle to level the playing field for all hard-working members and families in our communities.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• As a seated Romulus City Council member, I have been in the forefront of legislating rules, regulations, resolutions, amendments and/or ordinances that improve living conditions in my city.

  As a UAW member and labor leader, I have always fought to improve wages, benefits, and conditions of employment for all working families.

  And as a member of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers from 2019-2021 I, along with one other Democrat on the board (Jonathan C. Kinloch), was tasked with protecting the democratic votes cast by nearly 900,000 Wayne County residents in the now infamous November 17, 2020 board canvasser certification meeting. When this meeting concluded, Donald Trump tried to claim the balloting was fraudulent and tried to overturn.
• We must improve upon the district's infrastructure, enact affordable housing projects, and strengthen the foundation for police, fire and medical services in order to protect the well-being of all citizens in Wayne County. I will secure the necessary funding, and all critical appropriations via, in part, block grants (CDBG) and other similar resources that provide federal funding to the states and local governments for community development undertakings. And as a resident for nearly 25 years living in a downriver community such as Romulus, the flooding issues in our neighborhoods and our on our roads must be addressed. In correlation, the drain and sewage deficiencies will be a priority under my watch as a Wayne County Commissioner.
• Community Outreach! All persons who seek office must be willing and determined to seek out and capture the issues, concerns and grievances from the residents of the community, by engaging in systematic outreach. The complaints and concerns of the citizens should always be encouraged, addressed and resolved on a regular basis. And if a matter cannot be rectified, then officeholders must be accountable in getting back with the resident(s) and all other stakeholders with a reply or resolve.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am truly passionate about economic development in our community, which presents economic growth opportunities, which spurs job creation and job opportunities for citizens. From this construct, tax revenues will induce resources for cities to become expansive and vibrant.

Again, securing the necessary funding for infrastructure improvements are a vital part of my determination to finally make a meaningful imprint towards fixing and/or repairing our poorly maintained roads and bridges.
In accordance with the aforesaid, it is of critical importance that flooding must be addressed and mitigated.

Similarly, the lead pipes that carry the water that we consume, must be replaced with non-lead piping to eliminate toxins ingested in our bodies.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The office of Wayne County Commissioner allows the officeholder to be in a position to make a dramatic difference in the lives of the citizens in the district, as well as being provided with an opportunity to publicly speak out on the issues that matter most to working families.
From adopting a budget, to enacting and enforcing ordinances through the administrative branch, to assessing and reconstructing County roads and bridges, the role of a Wayne County Commissioner is critical to improving the livelihood of its citizens.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my parents. My father was a laborer at Ford Motor Company and he took care our large family on low wages at the time. He worked many overtime hours just to make ends meet.
Similarly, my mother was a housekeeper who srubbed floors on her knees just to try and buy my siblings and I some of the nicer things in life.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Barack Obama's book presented in 2020, entitled "A Promised Land."

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, transparency, unselfishess, and a true passion and kind regard to elevate those who are less fortunate.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Determination, dedication, experience and a passion to get down to business and handle people's complaints and issues. I've been representing people all of my life and I get the most satisfaction by doing it well.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

A tireless work ethic to get the job done for residents. A keen sense for fiscal responsibility. I also believe that the commissioner should be willing and able to conduct regular townhall meetings with the residents in order to hear and address their grievances.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy that I would like to lead would simply be that I fought as the voice of the collective people, and I fought the good fight!

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Hmmm. As a little boy, I got immersed in the race riots of 1967 when I was shouted at by neighbors while I was riding in the car with my dad. I was about 8 years old at that time.
I also remember when Martin Luther King was assainated in April, 1968. It was sobering as a young boy to experience the meaning behind these events, as I did not truly grasp the extent of this hostility, until I grew older.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked as a summer school janitor at Cooley High School, in Detroit. The job repeated for several summers during the summer break. The very next job I got was a full-time employee at the Ford Motor Company Dearborn Assembly Plant, UAW Local 600.. I still have standing in that facility today, albeit, I'm on a union leave while I'm employed at the International Union, UAW, as an administrative staff representative.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Barack Obama, "A Promised Land." Because he reveals the plight and nuances of an African American man's quest to attain the most powerful job in the world.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

The Black Panther. Because he stood up for, and protected, what he believed in... his native land and his native people.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Ain't No Stoppin' US Now" by McFadden & Whitehead

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

My struggle has been that I don't know when to stop when I have been working on a project, issue, concern that I feel strongly about.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The chief role of this office is to engage as the legislative branch of County government and adopt a budget and enact ordinances, as well as having the power to approve contracts, enact rules and oversee appointments.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, of course. As a sitting Romulus City Councilman and, as such, a legislative officer, I know firsthand the necessity of having experience in government, public policy and public administration in order to be effective as a Commissioner. If an individual is lacking this experience, s/he can only weaken the chances of having a successful tenure in office.
I've also ran for the office of State Representative in HD No.26, in 2022. These experiences, through talking to the residents about their concerns or by simply engaging in numerous campaign events, as well as being a longstanding elected representative of the UAW, have seasoned me to the extent necessary to effectively represent the people.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

The ensuing skill set, I believe, would be important to have in order to be successful as a Commissioner. It follows:
Budgeting, accounting, public policy and administration, conflict resolution, legal intuition, and a good old fashioned ability to work with those who may have a different perspective.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Q: "Why did the chicken cross the road?"

A: "To get to the other side." Lol!

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

UAW, MRCC, Metro-Detroit AFL-CIO, AFSCME Michigan, the MDBC and the 13th Congressional Democratic District. Other endorsements are pending as of this writing.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I robustly believe that financial transparency, fiscal responsibility and government accountability are an absolute requiste in a functioning democracy.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Allen Wilson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

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Candidate

Wayne County Commission District 11

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