Jerry Allen (Oregon)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Jerry Allen

Working Families Party, Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

University of California, Berkeley, 1972

Graduate

University of California, Berkeley, 1973

Personal

Birthplace

Phoenix, Ariz.

Profession

Hospital executive

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Personal Facebook

Jerry Allen (Democratic Party, Working Families Party) ran for election to the Oregon State Senate to represent District 2. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020. He advanced from the Democratic primary on May 19, 2020.

Allen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jerry Allen was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He received an undergraduate degree from U.C. Berkeley in 1972 and a graduate degree from U.C. Berkeley School of Public Health in 1973. Allen's professional experience includes being an organic farmer, retired hospital executive, clinic founder, social work supervisor, and elected pension trustee.

He received certification as a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Public Health Educator, and Oregon Licensed Emergency Medical Responder. Allen has been associated with the Illinois Valley Fire District, Grants Pass Fruitdale Granage #379, Cave Junction Farmer's Market, and Josephine County Library.

Elections

2020

See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Oregon State Senate District 2

Art Robinson defeated Jerry Allen and Thomas Griffin in the general election for Oregon State Senate District 2 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Art Robinson (R / Constitution Party)	64.0	48,627
		Jerry Allen (D / Working Families Party)	33.6	25,559
		Thomas Griffin (L)	2.3	1,720
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	124

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 76,030
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Oregon State Senate District 2

Jerry Allen advanced from the Democratic primary for Oregon State Senate District 2 on May 19, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jerry Allen	97.4	9,000
		Other/Write-in votes	2.6	237

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,237
= 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 Oregon State Senate District 2

Art Robinson defeated Jolee Wallace and Jordan Lawson in the Republican primary for Oregon State Senate District 2 on May 19, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Art Robinson	54.1	12,138
	Submit photo	Jolee Wallace	43.3	9,698
		Jordan Lawson	2.2	483
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	97

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 22,416
= 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

• Simon Hare (R)

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Oregon State Senate District 2

Thomas Griffin advanced from the Libertarian convention for Oregon State Senate District 2 on July 6, 2020.

		Candidate
✔		Thomas Griffin (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= 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

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jerry 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.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have chosen to run for state senate because I feel that it's time to end the partisan bickering that often leads to rural Oregon getting shortchanged. Unfortunately, soon after I filed for office the coronavirus hit and the economy began to crumble, with thousands losing their jobs and livelihood. I'm concerned for our communities, and friends staying safe and finding work, and will work hard to help the citizens here in southern OR.

I'm a 5th generation organic farmer, retired hospital executive, clinic founder, social work supervisor and four term elected pension trustee. I'm currently a licensed Emergency Medical Responder volunteer. I'm an officer in the Fruitdale Grange in Grants Pass, and the Cave Junction Farmers Market. I also volunteer with the Josephine County library children's program.

I earned my master's degrees in public health and counseling and I received my certification in financial planning from UC Berkeley.

I've always believed what unites us is greater than what divides us.

I'm committed to working on the key issues facing our rural communities, including getting farmers the support they need to continue growing food for our communities, addressing the COVID-19 virus and working on policies that strengthen our local economy and get our people back to work.

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?

• I am committed to working on policies that address the Climate Crisis and Wildfires in ways that balance their impacts on our economy along with the long term effects of what will happen to our planet and the futures of our children and grandchildren if we ignore it.
• All Oregonians should have access to safe and affordable housing. I will work to help create legislation that supports and encourages new affordable housing opportunities for all of our citizens.
• Our public education system should be bolstered to provide Oregon students the best learning opportunities available. I vow to make educational funding a priority so that we can improve the system for our students across the state.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The Coronavirus pandemic has precipitated a global, national and local recession and health crisis. Here in Oregon, it's critical that we respond effectively, with so many lives and jobs on the line.

I have the experience and training to address this crisis as a legislator. My public health experience as a clinic founder, administrator and emergency medical responder, combined with my financial training and administrative leadership of a two-billion-dollar pension system gives me these tools.

Southern Oregon needs a strong voice at the table in Salem to address the many issues we are facing. As your senator, I will focus on the public health and the economic crisis, with thousands of families affected who have lost jobs, businesses and health care coverage. I will work for southern Oregon to get the necessary funds, programs, and attention our citizens deserve.

I will fight for rural Oregon to get its fair share of funding and budgetary assistance from the federal government to address unemployment, help our economy and local businesses, and get the job restoration we need. I will also work to strengthen the financial safety net for the thousands who have been laid off and the families who are struggling.

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

Honesty is first and foremost. Additionally, a focus on providing the best possible services to our constituents with whatever resources and funding is available.

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

I am honest, I have integrity, I am a problem solver and a collaborator. I am willing to reach across the aisle to provide the best services possible to our constituents.

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

I recall the death of John F Kennedy occurred when I was 12 years old. At that time, I felt the vulnerability of our country, and the wave of sadness that it created across our community.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

The immediate crisis we need to address for our state and country are he impacts of the COVID-19 situation, and rebuilding our economy, providing jobs for our citizens. That said, the larger crises is dealing with the effects of the climate crisis, which has resulted in hotter ground temperatures, droughts and increased wild fires.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

At a time of crisis like this, it's imperative that legislators unite to work toward the greater good of all our citizens. We need to collaborate to find solutions that address the urgent needs of our state and our communities. This is a time to build relationships of trust and cooperation, so that we can identify what needs to be done, and do it.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I would like to be on the Environment and Natural Resource Committee. I feel that is one of the most important issues we face in our near and distant future. I would like to be a part of developing environmental policies that address the impacts that climate change has on the environment, including the preservation of our forests and water sources, as well as the economic interests of our timber industries.

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

2020 Elections

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Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Oregon State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Rob Wagner

Majority Leader:Kayse Jama

Minority Leader:Bruce Starr

Senators

District 1

David Smith (R)

District 2

Noah Robinson (R)

District 3

Jeff Golden (D)

District 4

Floyd Prozanski (D)

District 5

Dick Anderson (R)

District 6

Cedric Hayden (R)

District 7

James Manning (D)

District 8

Sara Gelser Blouin (D)

District 9

Fred Girod (R)

District 10

Deb Patterson (D)

District 11

Kim Thatcher (R)

District 12

Bruce Starr (R)

District 13

Courtney Neron (D)

District 14

Kate Lieber (D)

District 15

Janeen Sollman (D)

District 16

Suzanne Weber (R)

District 17

Lisa Reynolds (D)

District 18

WInsvey Campos (D)

District 19

Rob Wagner (D)

District 20

Mark Meek (D)

District 21

Kathleen Taylor (D)

District 22

Lew Frederick (D)

District 23

Khanh Pham (D)

District 24

Kayse Jama (D)

District 25

Chris Gorsek (D)

District 26

Vacant

District 27

Anthony Broadman (D)

District 28

Diane Linthicum (R)

District 29

Todd Nash (R)

District 30

Mike McLane (R)

Democratic Party (18)

Republican Party (11)

Vacancies (1)