{{Short description|American politician}} {{for|the soccer player|Wes Allen (soccer)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Wes Allen | image = Jerry Carl with Wes Allen (cropped).jpg | caption = Allen in 2023 | office = 54th Secretary of State of Alabama | governor = Kay Ivey | term_start = January 16, 2023 | term_end = | predecessor = John Merrill | successor = | state_house1 = Alabama | district1 = 89th | term_start1 = November 7, 2018 | term_end1 = November 10, 2022 | predecessor1 = Alan Boothe | successor1 = Marcus Paramore | birth_name = Wesley Harrison Allen | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|8|15}} | birth_place = Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = | children = 2 | father = Gerald Allen | education = University of Alabama (BA)<br>Troy University (MA) }} '''Wesley Harrison Allen''' (born August 15, 1975) is an American politician and former probate judge who is the incumbent secretary of state of Alabama, serving since 2023. He was previously a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, representing the 89th district from 2018 to 2022, and was elected as Secretary of State in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secretary of State Wes Allen Officially Withdraws from ERIC Organization |url=https://www.westernstar.news/news/secretary-of-state-wes-allen-officially-withdraws-from-eric-organization/article_72c54356-9810-11ed-bb4f-8face6f43721.html |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Western Star News |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125153815/https://www.westernstar.news/news/secretary-of-state-wes-allen-officially-withdraws-from-eric-organization/article_72c54356-9810-11ed-bb4f-8face6f43721.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In February of 2025, he announced his candidacy for Alabama Lieutenant Governor in the 2026 Republican Primary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chapoco |first=Ralph |date=February 18, 2025 |work=Alabama Reflector |title=Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen announces bid for lieutenant governor |url=https://alabamareflector.com/briefs/alabama-secretary-of-state-wes-allen-announces-bid-for-lieutenant-governor/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Allen was born on August 15, 1975 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saunders |first=Tom |date=Winter 2019 |title=FAMILY TREE WITH DEEP ROOTS |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61129b9b9d4ee10c3eff97af/t/6650acfb39eec17f67a8bb6a/1716563195745/2019-1+Allen+Article.pdf |work=Alabama Forests |publisher=Alabama Forestry Association}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Alabama |first=Spectrum News Staff |title=In Focus Alabama: Secretary of State Wes Allen |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/sc/south-carolina/politics/2026/03/18/in-focus-alabama |access-date=2026-05-27 |website=spectrumlocalnews.com |language=en}}</ref> Allen earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama and a master's degree from Troy University. As an undergraduate, Allen played on the Alabama Crimson Tide football team under coaches Mike DuBose and Gene Stallings.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-24|title=New Member Profile: Rep. Wes Allen for House District 89|url=https://www.aldailynews.com/new-member-profile-rep-wes-allen-for-house-district-89/|access-date=2021-05-07|website=Alabama Daily News|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Early political activities== In 2009, Allen was appointed to serve as a probate judge of Pike County, Alabama by then-Governor Bob Riley. Allen won election to a full term as a judge in 2012. In 2018, Allen was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives, succeeding Alan Boothe.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wes Allen|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Wes_Allen|access-date=2021-05-07|website=Ballotpedia|language=en}}</ref>
==Alabama Secretary of State== On May 5, 2021, Allen announced his candidacy for secretary of state of Alabama in the 2022 election.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-06|title=Troy Republican Wes Allen running for Alabama Secretary of State|url=https://www.al.com/news/2021/05/troy-republican-wes-allen-running-for-alabama-secretary-of-state.html|access-date=2021-05-07|website=al|language=en}}</ref> Allen came in second out of a field of four candidates in the Republican primary on May 24, 2022, forcing a runoff election with State Auditor Jim Zeigler.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burkhalter |first=Eddie |date=2022-05-25 |title=Wes Allen, Jim Zeigler headed to runoff in GOP race for secretary of state |url=https://www.alreporter.com/2022/05/25/wes-allen-jim-zeigler-headed-to-runoff-in-republican-bid-for-alabama-secretary-of-state/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=Alabama Political Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> The runoff election was held on June 21, 2022, and Allen defeated Zeigler with the largest percentage margin of victory of any Republican primary race held in Alabama on that date, earning 64% of the votes cast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Allen defeats Zeigler in GOP secretary of state runoff |url=https://www.wsfa.com/2022/06/22/allen-defeats-zeigler-gop-secretary-state-runoff/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=www.wsfa.com |date=22 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Allen went on to win the general election against Democratic nominee Pamela Lafitte and Libertarian nominee Jason "Matt" Shelby, with Allen attaining 65% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsfa.com/2022/11/09/ap-projects-wes-allen-win-alabama-secretary-states-race/|title=AP projects Wes Allen to win Alabama secretary of state's race|publisher=WSFA-12|date=November 8, 2022|access-date=November 16, 2022}}</ref>
==Political positions== ===Election security=== As a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, Allen served as the vice-chair of the Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee. As a member and leader of that committee, Allen played a key role in determining which bills would make it to the floor of the House to be debated by the full body and which bills would be voted down during the committee process.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee, Alabama House of Representatives |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Constitution,_Campaigns_and_Elections_Committee,_Alabama_House_of_Representatives |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref> Allen used his experience and knowledge as a former Probate Judge, the chief elections official at the county level, to advance several key election security bills. During the 2021 legislative session, Allen sponsored and passed a bill to ban curbside voting in Alabama. That bill was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey on May 26, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyman |first=Brian |title=Gov. Kay Ivey signs Alabama curbside voting ban. Here's what this means for future elections. |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2021/05/26/gov-kay-ivey-signs-curbside-voting-ban/7453204002/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=Montgomery Advertiser |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2022, Allen sponsored and passed HD89, commonly referred to in the media as the "Zuckerbucks" bill.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Jacob |date=2022-03-21 |title=Voting rights groups continue fight against "Zuckerbucks" bill; Allen dismisses concerns |url=https://www.alreporter.com/2022/03/21/voting-rights-groups-continue-fight-against-zuckerbucks-bill-allen-dismisses-concerns/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=Alabama Political Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> The legislation, signed into law by Governor Ivey, prohibits state and local election officials from accepting private donations to fund election-related expenses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murry |first=Charles |date=2022-04-13 |title=Governor Ivey Strengthens Election Integrity, Signs "Zuckerbucks" Bill into Law |url=https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2022/04/governor-ivey-strengthens-election-integrity-signs-zuckerbucks-bill-into-law/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=Office of the Governor of Alabama |language=en}}</ref> The bill was passed in response to reports in the 2020 election that Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, reportedly directed some $350 million in donations, or "Zuckerbucks," to more than 2,500 election officials throughout the country. Allen has also made several campaign promises during his run for secretary of state that relate to election security. He has promised that no election machine in Alabama will be connected to the internet under his watch. He has also strongly opposed ballot drop boxes and mass mail voting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-06 |title=Wes Allen promises 'no drop boxes' and 'no mass mailing of ballots' if elected Alabama Secretary of State |url=https://yellowhammernews.com/wes-allen-promises-no-drop-boxes-and-no-mass-mailing-of-ballots-if-elected-alabama-secretary-of-state/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=Yellowhammer News |language=en-US}}</ref>
Allen claimed multiple times that undocumented immigrants are voting in large numbers, and has vocally said he will address this issue. In August 2024, Allen announced his administration has identified 3,251 individuals who are "registered to vote in Alabama who have been issued noncitizen identification numbers by the Department of Homeland Security" and subsequently removed their voter registration. However, only a fraction of those individuals are confirmed to be ineligible to vote in Alabama.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Legum |first=Judd |title=Hundreds of citizens wrongly stripped of voting rights in botched effort to legitimize Trump's conspiracy theory |url=https://popular.info/p/hundreds-of-citizens-wrongly-stripped |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=popular.info |language=en}}</ref>
=== ERIC === Allen vowed that, if elected, his first act as secretary of state would be to withdraw Alabama from membership in the Electronic Registration Information Center, also known as ERIC.<ref>{{Cite web |author=WTVY Staff |title=Candidate promises to withdraw Alabama from national voter information organization |url=https://www.wsfa.com/2022/01/31/candidate-promises-withdraw-alabama-national-voter-information-organization/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=WSFA |date=31 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Allen asserted that the $25,000 membership fee was a waste of taxpayer dollars and contended that Alabamians would not agree to their information being used by ERIC to maintain accurate voter rolls.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-01 |title=Secretary of state candidate vows to withdraw Alabama from 'Soros-funded' group; Merrill denies claim |url=https://www.al.com/politics/2022/02/secretary-of-state-candidate-vows-to-withdraw-alabama-from-soros-funded-group-merrill-denies-claim.html |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=al |language=en}}</ref> Allen also had concerns over the fact that the seed money used to start ERIC was connected to organizations funded by George Soros.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |date=February 17, 2022 |first=Erica |title=ERIC under microscope after allegations of liberal agenda, Pt. 2 |url=https://1819news.com/news/item/eric-under-microscope-after-allegations-of-liberal-agenda-pt-2-02-12-2022 |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=1819 News |language=en-US}}</ref>
A week after his victory in the 2022 Alabama Secretary of State general election, Allen sent a letter to the Electronic Registration Information Center informing the organization that Alabama would withdraw from participating in the program immediately upon his inauguration on January 16, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://1819news.com/news/item/secretary-of-state-elect-notifies-voter-maintenance-program-eric-of-alabamas-withdrawal|title=Secretary of State-elect Wes Allen notifies voter maintenance program ERIC of Alabama's withdrawal|last=Thomas|first=Erica|work=1819 News|date=November 16, 2022|access-date=November 16, 2022}}</ref> Alabama's withdrawal from ERIC became official on that day, following Allen's inauguration as Allen signed a letter to ERIC notifying them of his withdrawal minutes after being sworn in.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Allen keeps a promise |language=en |work=Dothan Eagle |url=https://dothaneagle.com/opinion/editorial/allen-keeps-a-promise/article_31d68bde-98ec-11ed-b7ba-b79afc9549a8.html |access-date=2023-01-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://1819news.com/news/item/alabama-secretary-of-state-wes-allen-withdraws-from-eric-organization|title=Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen withdraws from ERIC organization|last=Taylor|first=Daniel|work=1819 News|date=January 17, 2023|access-date=January 18, 2023}}</ref>
===Second Amendment=== Wes Allen is a vocal supporter of the 2nd amendment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-27 |title=Alabama lawmakers take sides in national debate over gun rights |url=https://www.al.com/news/2021/03/alabama-lawmakers-take-sides-in-national-debate-over-gun-rights.html |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=al |language=en}}</ref> Allen voted for and co-sponsored Alabama's constitutional carry legislation which was signed into law in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=lori.jhons |date=2022-03-10 |title=Governor Ivey Defends Alabamians' Second Amendment Rights, Signs Constitutional Carry Bill into Law |url=https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2022/03/governor-ivey-defends-alabamians-second-amendment-rights-signs-constitutional-carry-bill-into-law/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=Office of the Governor of Alabama |language=en}}</ref>
===Transgender policies=== Allen sponsored the Alabama Vulnerable Child Protection Act, which prohibits doctors from administering puberty blockers to children in Alabama for the purpose of changing their sex. It also bans sex change surgeries from being performed on minors in the state.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-22 |title=Eagle Forum Supports the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act (VCAP) |url=https://alabamaeagle.org/2020/02/eagle-forum-supports-the-vulnerable-child-compassion-and-protection-act-vcap/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=Eagle Forum of Alabama |language=en-US}}</ref> The bill was passed and signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyman |first=Brian |title=Alabama bill criminalizing transgender health treatments moves closer to passage |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2022/03/02/alabama-bill-criminalizing-transgender-health-treatments-moves-closer-passage/6973963001/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=Montgomery Advertiser |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Abortion=== Allen believes that life begins at conception and has been vocal about his anti-abortion stance. He voted for and co-sponsored one of the toughest anti-abortion laws in the country, the Human Life Protection Act, which was signed into law in 2019. The law was initially held up by an injunction in federal court but that injunction was lifted after the United States Supreme Court overturned ''Roe v. Wade'' and the Human Life Protection Act became law.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Keith |date=2022-06-24 |title=Abortion now illegal in Alabama after federal judge lifts injunction |url=https://mynbc15.com/news/local/alabama-to-ask-judge-to-lift-injunction-on-total-abortion-ban-with-no-exemptions |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=WPMI |language=en}}</ref>
=== 2026 lieutenant gubernatorial primary === In January 2026, Allen launched his bid for Alabama lieutenant governor. President Donald Trump did not endorse Allen, instead backing former Alabama Republican Party chairman John Wahl in the Republican primary and describing Wahl as a “true MAGA warrior.” During the campaign, Allen publicly criticized Wahl and positioned himself in opposition to Trump-backed factions within the Alabama Republican primary."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yaffee |date=2026-01-28 |title=John Wahl officially enters 2026 Alabama Lt. Governor race after Trump endorsement |url=https://yellowhammernews.com/john-wahl-officially-enters-2026-alabama-lt-governor-race-after-trump-endorsement/ |access-date=2026-05-19 |website=Yellowhammer News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gazette |first=Alabama |title=Wes Allen slams John Wahl as Lieutenant Governor's race turns negative |url=https://www.alabamagazette.com/story/2026/05/12/the-2026-primary-is-on-may-19/wes-allen-slams-john-wahl-as-lieutenant-governors-race-turns-negative/9788.html |access-date=2026-05-19 |website=Alabama Gazette |language=en}}</ref>
==Personal life== Allen's father, Gerald Allen, has served as a member of the Alabama Legislature since 1994.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Curtis|first=Ken|title=History making lawmaker seeking another office|url=https://www.wtvy.com/2021/05/07/history-making-lawmaker-seeking-another-office/|access-date=2021-05-07|website=wtvy.com|date=7 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Allen and his wife, Cae, have two children and live in Troy, Alabama.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wes Allen|url=https://www.waff.com/story/4830194/wes-allen|access-date=2021-05-07|website=waff.com|date=28 April 2006 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{s-start}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=John Merrill}} {{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Secretary of State of Alabama|years=2022}} {{s-inc|recent}} |- {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=John Merrill}} {{s-ttl|title=Secretary of State of Alabama|years=2023–present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}}
{{Current Alabama statewide political officials}} {{U.S. State Secretaries of State}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Allen, Wes}} Category:1975 births Category:21st-century members of the Alabama Legislature Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football players Category:Living people Category:People from Troy, Alabama Category:Republican Party members of the Alabama House of Representatives Category:Secretaries of state of Alabama Category:Troy University alumni