Wayne Allard
Encyclopedia
Alan Wayne Allard is a member of the Republican Party
, and was a United States Senator from Colorado
. He did not seek re-election in 2008.
to Sibyl Jean Stewart and Amos Wilson Allard. He was raised on a ranch near Walden, Colorado
. He received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University
in 1968.
and Weld
Counties in the Colorado State Senate, from 1983 to 1990. During his tenure he was a strong supporter of fiscal responsibility and the preservation of a citizen legislature. Allard's influence on local politics is still felt today as he is the sponsor of Colorado's law limiting state legislative sessions to 120 days.
from Colorado's Fourth Congressional District from 1991 to 1997. As a Colorado Representative, Allard served on the Joint Committee on Congressional Reform, which recommended many of the reforms included in the Contract with America
. These reforms became some of the first to be passed by the Republican controlled Congress in 1995 and were the key to their platform.
by five percentage points. He made a pledge at the time to serve just two terms in the Senate before retiring. In 2002, he was re-elected, defeating Strickland again by the same margin.
In the 110th Congress, Allard served on the following committees:
United States Senate Committee on Appropriations (of which he was Ranking Minority member of the Legislative Branch subcommittee);
United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs (of which he was Ranking Minority member of the Securities, Insurance, and Investment subcommittee);
United States Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the
United States Senate Committee on the Budget
In an April 2006 article, Time
named Allard as one of America's 5 Worst Senators, dubbing him "The Invisible Man". The article criticised him for being "so bland that his critics have dubbed him "Dullard"", for "never playing a role in major legislation, even though he's on two key Senate committees, Budget and Appropriations" and for "rarely speaking on the floor or holding press conferences to push his ideas", concluding that "few of the bills he has introduced over the past year have passed". The article did however note that he was "polite, affable and willing to take on thankless tasks, such as his current role overseeing the construction of a visitors center on Capitol Hill". In response, two major Colorado newspapers defended the Senator. The Rocky Mountain News
retorted that Time had made the "wrong call" and that Allard was a "hard-working advocate for Colorado interests." The Colorado Springs Gazette also weighed in, saying the article was "... soft, subjective, snide, impressionistic slop -- further proof of the low to which this once-serious publication has sunk."
Upon his retirement, the Denver Post admitted that "While we didn't always agree with Sen. Wayne Allard on policy matters, we never doubted that he was working hard for Colorado." http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_11430372
In March 2008 the National Journal
ranked him the second most conservative U.S. Senator based on his 2007 votes.
In 2003, Allard introduced into the Senate the Federal Marriage Amendment
, seeking to ban same-sex marriage
s. The amendment failed to advance to Congress.
In 2004, Allard reintroduced the Federal Marriage Amendment with minor changes. In presenting the amendment, Allard made the case that there is a "master plan" to "destroy the institution of marriage". Passage of the proposed Amendment failed 227 yea votes to 186 nay votes, where 290 yea votes (two-thirds) are required for passage of a proposed Constitutional amendment
.
On January 15, 2007 Allard announced he would fulfill a 1996 campaign promise to serve only two Senate terms and would retire in January 2009.
In April 2007, Allard announced his endorsement of Mitt Romney
for the Republican
nomination for President of the United States. He switched his endorsement to John McCain
once he secured his spot as the presumptive Republican nominee.
, and added 3000 acres (12.1 km²) to the Indian Peak Protection Area. Allard also sponsored legislation which created Colorado's 85000 acres (344 km²) Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
. Allard was also chairman and founder of the Senate Renewable Energy and Efficiency Caucus
In 2006, the environmental group Republicans for Environmental Protection praised Allard for his support of legislation to make the Army Corps of Engineers more accountable for its projects' environmental and economic impact, but censured him for supporting oil drilling both offshore
and in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
. The nonpartisan League of Conservation Voters
issued Allard a grade of 29% for 2006.
, also from CSU. They then founded their veterinary practice, the Allard Animal Hospital. The Allards raised their two daughters, Christi and Cheryl, in Loveland, Colorado
, and have five grandsons. He is a Protestant.
In 2007, Allard authored "Colorado's U.S. Senators: A Biographical Guide." The book was published by Fulcrum Publishing.
— Republican Primary
1996 Race for U.S. Senate
United States Senate election in Colorado, 2002
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, and was a United States Senator from Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. He did not seek re-election in 2008.
Early life
Allard was born in Fort Collins, ColoradoFort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins is a Home Rule Municipality situated on the Cache La Poudre River along the Colorado Front Range, and is the county seat and most populous city of Larimer County, Colorado, United States. Fort Collins is located north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. With a 2010 census...
to Sibyl Jean Stewart and Amos Wilson Allard. He was raised on a ranch near Walden, Colorado
Walden, Colorado
The Town of Walden is a Statutory Town that is the county seat of, and the only incorporated municipality in, Jackson County, Colorado, United States. It is situated in the center of a large open valley called North Park. People from Walden and the surrounding area refer to themselves as "North...
. He received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
in 1968.
State Senate
Allard continued to run a veterinary practice full-time, while representing LarimerLarimer County, Colorado
Larimer County is the seventh most populous and the ninth most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county is located at the northern end of the Front Range, at the edge of the Colorado Eastern Plains along the border with Wyoming...
and Weld
Weld County, Colorado
As of the census of 2000, there were 180,936 people, 63,247 households, and 45,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 66,194 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
Counties in the Colorado State Senate, from 1983 to 1990. During his tenure he was a strong supporter of fiscal responsibility and the preservation of a citizen legislature. Allard's influence on local politics is still felt today as he is the sponsor of Colorado's law limiting state legislative sessions to 120 days.
US House of Representatives
Allard served in the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Colorado's Fourth Congressional District from 1991 to 1997. As a Colorado Representative, Allard served on the Joint Committee on Congressional Reform, which recommended many of the reforms included in the Contract with America
Contract with America
The Contract with America was a document released by the United States Republican Party during the 1994 Congressional election campaign. Written by Larry Hunter, who was aided by Newt Gingrich, Robert Walker, Richard Armey, Bill Paxon, Tom DeLay, John Boehner and Jim Nussle, and in part using text...
. These reforms became some of the first to be passed by the Republican controlled Congress in 1995 and were the key to their platform.
US Senate
In 1996, Allard was elected to the United States Senate, defeating Tom StricklandTom Strickland
Tom Strickland is an American lawyer who works as chief of staff to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks in the Interior Department. Strickland served as United States Attorney for Colorado and was the Democratic nominee for U.S...
by five percentage points. He made a pledge at the time to serve just two terms in the Senate before retiring. In 2002, he was re-elected, defeating Strickland again by the same margin.
In the 110th Congress, Allard served on the following committees:
United States Senate Committee on Appropriations (of which he was Ranking Minority member of the Legislative Branch subcommittee);
United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs (of which he was Ranking Minority member of the Securities, Insurance, and Investment subcommittee);
United States Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the
United States Senate Committee on the Budget
In an April 2006 article, Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
named Allard as one of America's 5 Worst Senators, dubbing him "The Invisible Man". The article criticised him for being "so bland that his critics have dubbed him "Dullard"", for "never playing a role in major legislation, even though he's on two key Senate committees, Budget and Appropriations" and for "rarely speaking on the floor or holding press conferences to push his ideas", concluding that "few of the bills he has introduced over the past year have passed". The article did however note that he was "polite, affable and willing to take on thankless tasks, such as his current role overseeing the construction of a visitors center on Capitol Hill". In response, two major Colorado newspapers defended the Senator. The Rocky Mountain News
Rocky Mountain News
The Rocky Mountain News was a daily newspaper published in Denver, Colorado, United States from April 23, 1859, until February 27, 2009. It was owned by the E. W. Scripps Company from 1926 until its closing. As of March 2006, the Monday-Friday circulation was 255,427...
retorted that Time had made the "wrong call" and that Allard was a "hard-working advocate for Colorado interests." The Colorado Springs Gazette also weighed in, saying the article was "... soft, subjective, snide, impressionistic slop -- further proof of the low to which this once-serious publication has sunk."
Upon his retirement, the Denver Post admitted that "While we didn't always agree with Sen. Wayne Allard on policy matters, we never doubted that he was working hard for Colorado." http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_11430372
In March 2008 the National Journal
National Journal
National Journal is a nonpartisan American weekly magazine that reports on the current political environment and emerging political and policy trends. National Journal was first published in 1969. Times Mirror owned the magazine from 1986 to 1997, when it was purchased by David G. Bradley...
ranked him the second most conservative U.S. Senator based on his 2007 votes.
In 2003, Allard introduced into the Senate the Federal Marriage Amendment
Federal Marriage Amendment
The Federal Marriage Amendment H.J. Res. 56 was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution which would have limited marriage in the United States to unions of one man and one woman...
, seeking to ban same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
s. The amendment failed to advance to Congress.
In 2004, Allard reintroduced the Federal Marriage Amendment with minor changes. In presenting the amendment, Allard made the case that there is a "master plan" to "destroy the institution of marriage". Passage of the proposed Amendment failed 227 yea votes to 186 nay votes, where 290 yea votes (two-thirds) are required for passage of a proposed Constitutional amendment
Article Five of the United States Constitution
Article Five of the United States Constitution describes the process whereby the Constitution may be altered. Altering the Constitution consists of proposing an amendment and subsequent ratification....
.
On January 15, 2007 Allard announced he would fulfill a 1996 campaign promise to serve only two Senate terms and would retire in January 2009.
In April 2007, Allard announced his endorsement of Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney
Willard Mitt Romney is an American businessman and politician. He was the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and is a candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination.The son of George W...
for the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nomination for President of the United States. He switched his endorsement to John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
once he secured his spot as the presumptive Republican nominee.
Environmental record
Allard was a co-sponsor of the James Peak Wilderness Bill, which created a 14000 acres (56.7 km²) preserve around James PeakJames Peak Wilderness
The James Peak Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area in north central Colorado in the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests. The wilderness area borders Indian Peaks Wilderness to the north and the James Peak Protection Area to the west.-Geography:...
, and added 3000 acres (12.1 km²) to the Indian Peak Protection Area. Allard also sponsored legislation which created Colorado's 85000 acres (344 km²) Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
-Other features:The park also contains alpine lakes and tundra, six peaks over 13,000 feet in elevation, ancient spruce and pine forests, large stands of aspen and cottonwood, grasslands, and wetlands — all habitat for diverse wildlife and plant species.One of the most unusual features of...
. Allard was also chairman and founder of the Senate Renewable Energy and Efficiency Caucus
In 2006, the environmental group Republicans for Environmental Protection praised Allard for his support of legislation to make the Army Corps of Engineers more accountable for its projects' environmental and economic impact, but censured him for supporting oil drilling both offshore
Offshore drilling
Offshore drilling refers to a mechanical process where a wellbore is drilled through the seabed. It is typically carried out in order to explore for and subsequently produce hydrocarbons which lie in rock formations beneath the seabed...
and in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in northeastern Alaska, United States. It consists of in the Alaska North Slope region. It is the largest National Wildlife Refuge in the country, slightly larger than the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge...
. The nonpartisan League of Conservation Voters
League of Conservation Voters
The League of Conservation Voters is a political advocacy organization founded in 1969 by American environmentalist David Brower in the early years of the environmental movement. LCV's mission is to "advocate for sound environmental policies and to elect pro-environmental candidates who will adopt...
issued Allard a grade of 29% for 2006.
Fiscal conservatism
While working in Congress, Allard consistently asserted that the federal government unnecessarily spends too much money. During his Senate career, his office has returned $4.2 million dollars of its collective budget. Allard was considered to be one of the most firmly anti-tax politicians in Washington. He campaigned on the goal of repealing marriage, inheritance, and capital gains taxes.Personal life
While completing veterinary school, Allard married Joan Malcolm, who received her degree in microbiologyMicrobiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
, also from CSU. They then founded their veterinary practice, the Allard Animal Hospital. The Allards raised their two daughters, Christi and Cheryl, in Loveland, Colorado
Loveland, Colorado
Loveland is a Home Rule Municipality that is the second most populous city in Larimer County, Colorado, United States. Loveland is situated north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. Loveland is the 14th most populous city in Colorado. The United States Census Bureau that in 2010 the...
, and have five grandsons. He is a Protestant.
In 2007, Allard authored "Colorado's U.S. Senators: A Biographical Guide." The book was published by Fulcrum Publishing.
Committee Assignments
- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- Subcommittee on Children and Families
- Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety
- Committee on the Budget
- Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
- Securities, Insurance, and Investment Subcommittee (Ranking Member)
- Financial Institutions Subcommittee
- Housing, Transportation, and Community Development Subcommittee
- Committee on Appropriations
- Interior Subcommittee(Ranking Member)
- Legislative Branch Subcommittee
- Energy and Water Development Subcommittee
- Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee
- Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee
- Transportation/HUD Subcommittee
Electoral history
1996 Race for U.S. SenateUnited States Senate elections, 1996
The 1996 elections to the United States Senate coincided with the 1996 presidential election, in which Democrats Bill Clinton and Al Gore were reelected President and Vice President of the United States, respectively....
— Republican Primary
- Wayne Allard (R), 57%
- Gale NortonGale NortonGale Ann Norton served as the 48th United States Secretary of the Interior from 2001 to 2006 under President George W. Bush...
(R), 43%
1996 Race for U.S. Senate
United States Senate elections, 1996
The 1996 elections to the United States Senate coincided with the 1996 presidential election, in which Democrats Bill Clinton and Al Gore were reelected President and Vice President of the United States, respectively....
- Wayne Allard (R), 51.06%
- Tom StricklandTom StricklandTom Strickland is an American lawyer who works as chief of staff to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks in the Interior Department. Strickland served as United States Attorney for Colorado and was the Democratic nominee for U.S...
(D), 46.11% - Other, 2.83%
United States Senate election in Colorado, 2002
United States Senate election in Colorado, 2002
The 2002 United States Senate election in Colorado was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Wayne Allard won re-election to a second term.-Candidates:...
- Wayne Allard (R) (inc.), 50.70%
- Tom StricklandTom StricklandTom Strickland is an American lawyer who works as chief of staff to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks in the Interior Department. Strickland served as United States Attorney for Colorado and was the Democratic nominee for U.S...
(D), 45.77% - Other, 3.53%
External links
- New York Times — Wayne Allard News collected news and commentary
- SourceWatch Congresspedia — Wayne Allard profile
- 2008 Colorado Senate Race, at 2008RaceTracker.com