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Biography - Serving the 37th District
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Jason
Allen was re-elected to Michigan’s 37th
State Senate District in November 2006, representing
Grand Traverse, Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Cheboygan,
Presque Isle, Chippewa and Mackinac counties.
Senator Allen is the chair of the Senate Commerce
and Tourism Committee and the Senior Citizens
and Veterans Affairs Committee. He serves as
a member of the following committees: Economic
Development & Regulatory Reform; Health
Policy; and Local, Urban and State Affairs.
Allen is a member of the Legislative Council
and serves as the Senate majority whip. Allen
was first elected to the Michigan Senate in
2002. |
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| While
in the Senate, Allen has emerged as a leader by spearheading
a number of statewide initiatives focused greatly on
stimulating Michigan’s economy and creating jobs.
Initiatives have focused on tool and die manufacturing,
venture capital investment, research and development,
re-authorization of the Michigan Economic Growth Authority,
and revitalizing cities and downtowns as locations for
business investment and growth. Senator Allen has also
had legislation enacted that allows religious studies
and theology majors to receive state scholarships, and
sponsored policy to allow for creative new ways to combat
invasive species in our inland lakes. |
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| Prior
to being elected to the Senate, Allen served in the
Michigan House of Representatives for the 104th District
from 1999 through 2002. As the chair of the House Education
Committee, his leadership was essential in creating
the Michigan Merit Scholarship Awards and shepherding
the Detroit school rescue package through the House.
In 2000 and 2004, the Michigan Manufacturers Association
named Allen Advocate of the Year. |
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Allen is a lifelong resident of Traverse City. He
graduated from Traverse City High School and continued
his education at Northwestern Michigan College. He
completed his education at Miami University of Ohio,
earning a Bachelor’s degree in Finance with
a minor in Fashion Merchandising. After graduation,
Jason returned to Traverse City to work with his father
in the family menswear business. He is currently the
vice president of sales at the Captain’s Quarters. |
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| Allen
entered the National Guard and received basic training
at Fort Knox in Kentucky. He returned home from the
guard to successfully run for the Grand Traverse County
Board of Commission. During his tenure on the board,
Allen was an advocate for neighborhood support and improvement.
Allen served on the Great Lakes Community Health Board
and the Northwestern Michigan Council of Governments,
a 10-county multi-jurisdictional agency dedicated to
law enforcement, planning and economic development. |
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| Senator
Allen remains active in his community. He is a member
of the Central United Methodist Church, the Traverse
City Rotary Club, and the Traverse City Area Chamber
of Commerce. Allen is an Eagle Scout and remains involved
in scouting, serving on the Scenic Trails Council Executive
Board and counseling merit badges. He is also a member
of the Michigan Conservation Foundation, Ducks Unlimited,
Michigan Whitetails, the Ruffed Grouse Society, Michigan
Elks, and the American Legion. |
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| Allen
has been active in Republican politics since high school.
He is a veteran campaigner and has assisted on many
school board, city and statewide elections. He has been
a Republican precinct delegate for many years, served
on the Grand Traverse Executive Committee and was the
Northern Michigan Chair for George W. Bush in 2000 and
2004. In 2006, Sen. Allen was appointed to the Christopher
Columbus Fellowship Foundation by President Bush. |
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Allen’s family includes his wife, Suzanne, and
their daughters, Meredith and Amanda. They own a home
on Washington Street in Traverse City. |
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