Doris Allen (politician)
Encyclopedia
Doris J. 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.
Before entering politics, she 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. She was first elected to the California State Assembly
in 1982 when she unseated Democratic incumbent Chet Wray. She compiled a relatively conservative record with special attention to environmental protection for her coastal district. Republicans gained a one-vote majority in 1995, threatening longtime Democratic Speaker Willie Brown
's 15 year hold on power. Brown at first persuaded moderate Republican turned Independent Paul Horcher
to vote for him and keep him in power. Meanwhile Allen was running in a special election for her area State Senate seat. She became enraged when GOP party leaders officially endorsed a fellow assemblyman (Ross Johnson
) with a more conservative voting record than hers and who had moved into the district to run. Allen lost the race. After Horcher was recalled from office and replaced by a loyal Republican, Brown convinced a still-angry Allen to vote with Democrats and essentially become Speaker. Brown got Allen elected, but in name only since 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 handed the gavel over to another Republican who backed Brown, 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 and allowing them to elect Pringle as Speaker in January 1996. Setencich himself was defeated for reelection in that June's GOP primary.
Following her recall, Allen turned her back on politics, and eventually moved away from California. She did make one last quixotic bid for her old seat in 1998. Allen died of stomach
and colon cancer at her home in Colorado Springs
on September 22, 1999.
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
from 1982 to 1995, representing part of Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
, and as Speaker of that body from June 5 to September 14, 1995, before being recalled
Recall election
A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her term has ended...
from office.
Before entering politics, she 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. She was first elected to the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
in 1982 when she unseated Democratic incumbent Chet Wray. She compiled a relatively conservative record with special attention to environmental protection for her coastal district. Republicans gained a one-vote majority in 1995, threatening longtime Democratic Speaker Willie Brown
Willie Brown (politician)
Willie Lewis Brown, Jr. is an American politician of the Democratic Party. He served over 30 years in the California State Assembly, spending 15 years as its Speaker, and afterward served as the 41st mayor of San Francisco, the first African American to do so...
's 15 year hold on power. Brown at first persuaded moderate Republican turned Independent Paul Horcher
Paul Horcher
Paul V. Horcher is an American politician from California and a former member of the Republican Party.-Early career:A graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Horcher practiced law before joining the Diamond Bar Municipal Advisory council in 1982...
to vote for him and keep him in power. Meanwhile Allen was running in a special election for her area State Senate seat. She became enraged when GOP party leaders officially endorsed a fellow assemblyman (Ross Johnson
Ross Johnson
Ross Johnson may refer to:*Ross Johnson , Cardiff Blues rugby union player*F. Ross Johnson , Canadian businessman*Ross Johnson , United States professional lacrosse player...
) with a more conservative voting record than hers and who had moved into the district to run. Allen lost the race. After Horcher was recalled from office and replaced by a loyal Republican, Brown convinced a still-angry Allen to vote with Democrats and essentially become Speaker. Brown got Allen elected, but in name only since Brown continued to lead the legislative body as head of the Democratic caucus.
Allen's defection outraged her Republican colleagues, led by Curt Pringle
Curt Pringle
Curtis L. "Curt" Pringle , is a politician from the U.S. state of California. Pringle, a Republican, a onetime Speaker of the California State Assembly, former Mayor of Anaheim, California and former Chairman of the California High Speed Rail Authority, today runs his own public relations and...
, as well as her Republican constituents, who in November 1995 recalled her from office. Before her removal, Allen resigned as Speaker and handed the gavel over to another Republican who backed Brown, Brian Setencich
Brian Setencich
Brian Setencich served in the California Assembly for one term from 1994 to 1996 and as Speaker of that body from September 14, 1995 to January 4, 1996. Setencich was the first freshman legislator to serve as Speaker of the Assembly. He was previously a city councilman in Fresno and played...
. 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 and allowing them to elect Pringle as Speaker in January 1996. Setencich himself was defeated for reelection in that June's GOP primary.
Following her recall, Allen turned her back on politics, and eventually moved away from California. She did make one last quixotic bid for her old seat in 1998. Allen died of stomach
Stomach cancer
Gastric cancer, commonly referred to as stomach cancer, can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus, lungs, lymph nodes, and the liver...
and colon cancer at her home in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
on September 22, 1999.