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Gary Allen
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Gary Allen ran for election for Mayor of San Antonio in Texas. He lost in the general election on May 6, 2023.
Allen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Gary Allen was born in Amarillo, Texas, and lives in San Antonio, Texas. Allen's professional experience includes working as an administrator, principal, teacher, high school coach, actor, and organizer. He earned an associate degree from Texas State Technical Institute in 1986 and a graduate degree from West Texas A&M University in 1987.[1]
Elections
2023
See also: Mayoral election in San Antonio, Texas (2023)
General election
General election for Mayor of San Antonio
The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of San Antonio on May 6, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ron Nirenberg (Nonpartisan) | 60.7 | 83,238 |
 | Christopher Schuchardt (Nonpartisan)  | 21.9 | 30,011 | |
 | Gary Allen (Nonpartisan) | 6.2 | 8,462 | |
| Michael Samaniego (Nonpartisan) | 3.3 | 4,529 | ||
| Diana Uriegas (Nonpartisan) | 3.0 | 4,061 | ||
 | Christopher Longoria (Nonpartisan) | 2.3 | 3,115 | |
| Ray Adam Basaldua (Nonpartisan) | 1.5 | 2,123 | ||
| Armando Dominguez (Nonpartisan) | 0.7 | 965 | ||
 | Michael Idrogo (Nonpartisan) | 0.4 | 535 | |
| Total votes: 137,039 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2021
See also: Mayoral election in San Antonio, Texas (2021)
General election
General election for Mayor of San Antonio
The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of San Antonio on May 1, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ron Nirenberg (Nonpartisan) | 61.9 | 92,156 |
 | Greg Brockhouse (Nonpartisan) | 31.5 | 46,829 | |
 | Denise Gutierrez (Nonpartisan) | 1.8 | 2,711 | |
| Gary Allen (Nonpartisan) | 1.4 | 2,049 | |
 | Antonio Diaz (Nonpartisan) | 0.9 | 1,358 | |
 | Tim Atwood (Nonpartisan) | 0.5 | 786 | |
| Jacq'ue Miller (Nonpartisan) | 0.5 | 703 | ||
| Ray Adam Basaldua (Nonpartisan) | 0.4 | 631 | ||
| Michael Idrogo (Nonpartisan) | 0.3 | 406 | |
 | John Velasquez (Nonpartisan) | 0.2 | 340 | |
| Dan Martinez (Nonpartisan) | 0.2 | 334 | ||
| Frank Muniz (Nonpartisan) | 0.1 | 208 | ||
| Justin Macaluso (Nonpartisan) | 0.1 | 207 | ||
| Joshua Galvan (Nonpartisan) | 0.1 | 172 | ||
| Total votes: 148,890 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2020
See also: Texas' 20th Congressional District election, 2020
Texas' 20th Congressional District election, 2020 (March 3 Republican primary)
Texas' 20th Congressional District election, 2020 (March 3 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Texas District 20
Incumbent Joaquin Castro defeated Mauro Garza and Jeffrey Blunt in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 20 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Joaquin Castro (D) | 64.7 | 175,078 |
 | Mauro Garza (R) | 33.1 | 89,628 | |
 | Jeffrey Blunt (L) | 2.2 | 6,017 | |
| Total votes: 270,723 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Adam Jonasz (Independent)
- Adam Martinez-Gomez (Independent)
Republican primary runoff election
Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 20
Mauro Garza defeated Gary Allen in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 20 on July 14, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mauro Garza | 60.1 | 7,162 |
| Gary Allen | 39.9 | 4,762 | |
| Total votes: 11,924 | |||
| = 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 U.S. House Texas District 20
Incumbent Joaquin Castro defeated Justin Lecea and Rob Hostetler in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 20 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joaquin Castro | 92.1 | 61,861 |
 | Justin Lecea | 4.5 | 3,047 | |
| Rob Hostetler | 3.4 | 2,252 | ||
| Total votes: 67,160 | |||
| = 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 U.S. House Texas District 20
Mauro Garza and Gary Allen advanced to a runoff. They defeated Dominick Dina, Anita Kegley, and Tammy Orta in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 20 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mauro Garza | 33.3 | 7,720 |
| ✔ | | Gary Allen | 26.9 | 6,230 |
 | Dominick Dina | 22.6 | 5,242 | |
 | Anita Kegley | 9.5 | 2,210 | |
 | Tammy Orta | 7.7 | 1,786 | |
| Total votes: 23,188 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Joshua Carrizales (R)
- Dan McQueen (R)
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 20
Jeffrey Blunt advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 20 on March 21, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Jeffrey Blunt (L) |
| ||||
| = 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
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Gary Allen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Allen's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am a native Texan who is a conservative. I received a cum laude Master's Degree in Administration and Political Science from West Texas A&M University. My career as an educator spanned thirty years in being a principal, teacher, and coach which gave me an understanding in working with a large variety of people, both in the school setting and in the community. Having served in many committees over the years gave me a rich experience in solving problems and creating policies which is essential in being a governing official. I am a big believer in God, country, family, patriotism, the Constitution, and Christian values and principles. My biographical history and beliefs are included in my website www.garyallenpolitics.com
- America First Policies
- Transparent and honest government
- Limiting the power of the government to infringe and be invasive to the citizens' freedoms and to treat all individuals with importance and equality
Community Question Featured local question
Already answered this question earlier.
Community Question Featured local question
The rising crime rate does need to be addressed. Citizens deserve to be protected. Support of the police force will help deter crime, but unfortunately there are bad people out their willing to do harm no matter what one does.
Community Question Featured local question
I believe that the area around the Riverwalk is great for the city and is very beautiful. We do need to continue improving roads and traffic congestion. I would be leary of expanding public transportation which puts a heavy burden on taxpayers. I also would like to promote a city citizen card which would give a discount to citizens to park downtown for personal business. I would also like to promote the NFL creating a team here. It would promote more business and unite the city as the Spurs basketball team has. There are some billionaires who how enough ego to want to own a team and who would fund renovations on the Alamo Dome without putting a burden on taxpayers. Red McCombs had naysayers in bringing in The Spurs, but in the end it helped the city. Many thought the New Orlean Saints would move here after the Katrina disaster. Many started talking about the "San Antonio Saints" with excitement. Maybe we should start talking about the "San Antonio Sheriffs" as a NFL team. It could happen with alot of effort.
Community Question Featured local question
I believe it is very important. I would make sure citizen imput would be accomplished through expanded citizen forums in city council meetings, surveys, and action committees. Many times the government just ignores citizen involvement, requests, or passions for change or protection. Our city government has not listened to the needs of protecting historical sites such as the Alamo and insuring the demands of the energy grid.
Community Question Featured local question
Many records are in the public domain. The Freedom Of Information Act was established for a reason. Those records are to create government transparency and protect citizens from corruption in a government.
Community Question Featured local question
I believe that the city council makes law enforcement a negative. They have tried to defund the police department and tried to limit the San Antonio Police Officers Association by limiting their bargaining power. They are currently trying to pas Prop A which would cause crime to skyrocket. I am against these policies. I would support the police to make sure law-abiding citizens are protected and not criminals.
Community Question Featured local question
Already answered this question earlier.
Community Question Featured local question
What is good for the citizens would be my main question. Keep focused on needs and goals. Don't let too many projects overwhelm and tax the taxpayers. This has been a problem with this city government in the past. Citizen Action Comittees are important and should be listened to.
Community Question Featured local question
I believe that keeping the criminals off the streets with a strong police department protects citizens. We also need to assure citizens are safe from trash and crime created by some of the homeless people while at the same time trying to help them through shelters and volunteer organizations. The current approach is jeopardizing citizens and businesses with the proposed Prop A.
Community Question Featured local question
Already answered this question earlier.
Community Question Featured local question
I would like to continue improving traffic flow and road construction, long range planning for water shortages which will happen with future droughts with an expanding population, keeping housing affordable and protecting citizens from laws that protect landlords and squatters, fighting for energy needs of citizens, and keeping crime low by supporting police officers and funding mental health and domestic crisis units.
Community Question Featured local question
As mentioned before, the police department needs backing and financial and moral support. To help with some overburdened officers on the beat, we should continue to fund and expand crisis units which have been very successful in the past.
Community Question Featured local question
I would have kept the city as open as possible and followed the governor's state guidelines. The San Antonio Mayor and City CouncilOur kept strangling citizens and businesses with harsh restrictions that put over 500 businesses out of business. Then turned around and used taxpayers' money in the tune of 56 million dollars to retrain people in the workforce to find jobs, jobs the city helped destroy. It was unfair that big businesses such as Walmart and HEB got to stay open while small businesses were forced to shut their doors.
Lowering taxes and being frugal with taxpayers' money which keeps the cost of running the government lower, having economic growth without destroying it with too much population growth which can endanger power and water systems, improving energy supply needs without relying too much on green energy, and running a government that is founded upon moral principles and allowing all citizens a voice and not a few fringe groups to help dictate policies.
Jesus, Paul the Apostle, Ronald Reagan, and Martin Luthur King. These figures stood for what is right and help transform the world around them.
There have many films and books I have read, especially getting a master's degree in the subject. I have no recommendations since these resources have varying points of view. My view is conservatism.
Honesty, common sense, professionalism, well-spoken, caring nature for all the citizens, research abilities to study solutions for problems and goals, good moral turpitude, being able to work with a variety of people, and level headed.
Intelligent, highly educated, experienced in committees and running programs, level-headed, using common sense in problem solving, honest and open, and a good listener. It seems that many politicians do not possess some or many of these qualities. There are just too many corrupt politicians that are in it for themselves, their egos, and to get rich.
The core responsibilities are to serve the best interest of the city to make it the best possible place for its citizens. The mayor should be able to facilitate the smooth running of the different agencies and branches, such as transportation and road maintenance, energy needs, land development and building issues, the police department, fire department, and sewage and water supplies.
A man that would be known for his leadership and honesty. A man that would help transform the path the San Antonio is taking so that it does not become like some of the failed city governments in some of our country's largest cities. It grieves me to see some of the things happening in our city government in recent years. The course needs to change. S22
The assasination of John Kennedy on November 22, 1963. I was in the third grade at the age of eight. I clearly remember just before the class left for lunch that the principle came on the intercom and announced the president had just been shot and to bow our heads and pray that he would all right.
An artist for the Amarillo Globe News for two years.
The Holy Bible. It guides my life and gives me hope for eternal future with God in Heaven.
Superman, because he can fly and do some other cool things and he is a good guy.
Viva la Vida by Coldplay. One of my favorite songs.
One of my greatest struggles was to come from a family that had very little money. I had to work my way through college by holding jobs that I had to work for 20 to 30 hours a week and still carry a full academic load all the way through getting a master's degree. There were times that I was burning the candle on both ends. Also, I have had friends die and have had co-workers and students die. This sorrow can affect one.
They help set the policies and balance out discussions which result in different points of view from the city council. The mayor must remain in control of their emotions and maintain a sense of professionalism. They are a leader for the citizens and need to show that publicly. They should have their heart in doing what is right and beneficial for the people.
The city manager is there to help with the finances and technical issues using their expertise. The mayor should make sure the best person is hired for the job. The mayor should also oversee the manager's decisions by being up to date on all policies and proposals.
In San Antonio we have a weak mayor system which gives more power to the city council which, in turn, gives more voice to the people of the different districts. The mayor should exert their influence and thoughts as much as possible so as to give a more three dimensional thought process in solving problems and creating policies from the city council. It becomes a problem when everyone thinks the same way. This causes ideas and solutions not to be debated in a healthy format.
I believe San Antonio is a large city with a small town feel. Its rich Spanish heritage and culture makes it a beautiful place. The Riverwalk is world class and the missions are a unique place to visit and brings one into the past hundreds of years. The art culture is wonderful with theatrical productions going on throughout the year in various theaters and venues. The people are general friendly and family oriented. There are festival celebrations throughout the year including the largest being FIESTA. Three theme parks are available to have fun which are Fiesta Texas, Sea World, and Morgan's Wonderland. There are miles of walking and bicycle trials going through wooded areas. And of course, the Alamo is the pride of the city, being the scene of the most famous battles in the world.
The city will have to deal with an expanding population and the real fact of water and housing shortages.
The city should always follow state regulations to have a good relationship with the state government and the governor. The relationship should include getting funding and grants for various programs and road construction. The state always has resources to help city governments in both money and expert help from different agencies and organizations.
The same holds true for federal government relations with the city as it does for the state government. The are all kinds of resources from different agencies. The city should have qualified grant writers to recieve federal funding for different projects and cultural needs.
Don't really have a favorite joke, but I believe humor is good. I try to make at least one person laugh a day.
The relationship between the mayor and law enforcement is vital. A good relationship promotes morale in officers and support in both funding and problem solving. The mayor should have oversight on issues dealing with procedures and should be willing to listen to the needs and concerns from the police department.
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.
Note: Community Questions were submitted by the public and chosen for inclusion by a volunteer advisory board. The chosen questions were modified by staff to adhere to Ballotpedia’s neutrality standards. To learn more about Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Expansion Project, click here.
2021
Gary Allen did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Gary Allen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Allen's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas and moved to San Antonio 25 years ago. I have a Master's Degree in Administration and Political Science. I have been a teacher, principal, and coach at mainly the high school for 30 years. I am a Christian who has been involved in the church for most of my life. I feel that this country needs to get back to the values of God, country, and family. I want to go to Congress to be a leader and not a follower. This is a critical time in America history. We need people in Congress who truly love this country and honor the Constitution in a sincere way. As an educator I have seen the changes in young people that are troubling, changes in their views of socialism and their lack of understanding of history. We need to instill in people of being proud to be an American. I feel that members of Congress should stand for truth, justice, and the American way.
- America first
- God, country, and family that keeps a nation healthy
- Congress should be doing the job they were elected to do and not be spending their time in endless investigations
Immigration
Education
Infrastructure
Solving the problem of spiraling costs of higher education
Solving the problem of health care costs
Protecting our constitutional rights
Ronald Reagan, because was a great speaker, motivator, and patriot
Jonne Freeman's book "Field of Blood
"Being There," a movie starring Peter Sellers
"Being There," a movie starring Peter Sellers
Intelligence, common sense, good judgment, good speaking and communication skills, organization, and dedication to the laws and the U.S. Constitution.
Good speaker, organizational skills, common sense, good judgment, intelligent, flexible, and sprinkled with some humor
To represent the contingency of people that voted them into office and even the ones that did not vote for them. Many fail on that second point. And to uphold the U.S. Constitution in full. Some are failing on that by wanting to change it or ignore it which is very troubling to me.
A legacy that I stood for morality, truth, and justice. Sounds a little like a superhero doesn't it?
The assassination of JFK when I was in third grade.
Painting murals for a museum
The Bible because it is the Word of God and because it lays down the guidelines for our lives.
O Pioneers! by Emily Bronte because I love books about history and life on the frontier
O Pioneers! by Emily Bronte because I love books about history and life on the frontier
Viva la Vida by Coldplay
Angels on High
Angels on High
I grew up in a family with very little money and my teaching profession always paid a low salary so living from paycheck to paycheck was always a challenge.
A representative not only represents a small constituency of people, but also impacts on a national level.
No, because we have seen many representatives now and in the past that have experience who are not doing their jobs. Experience may help, but it is not essential. Common sense, good judgment, intelligence, good communication skills make up for experience.
Immigration;
Education and the spiraling costs of higher education;
Infrastructure;
China;
I am for term limits. One should not serve more than three or four terms.
Yes, in any role. That is way I am running for the office, to be a leader.
Jim Jordan of Ohio
Doug Collins of Georgia
Elise Stefanik of New York
There is an amusement park here in San Antonio called Wonderland which was specially created for special needs children.
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.
See also
2023 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 3, 2023
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