Allen is a native of rural Eastern North Carolina, and lives in Pitt County with his wife, Janet, and their two daughters Ava and Holly and son Chase. His family has lived and farmed the coastal plains region for generations, and he is a proud product of public schools in the east. He spent his summers working in the tobacco fields in a community where he learned the value of hard work, service, and the power of prayer. Allen comes from a family who believes in making a difference in your community: a mother who served on the school board, and a father who served as a state senator, and a brother who works as district attorney for three counties across the region.

After graduating from East Carolina University as Student Body President, Allen worked in international business recruitment for North Carolina. He earned his Masters in Business at the University of North Carolina and later earned a full scholarship for senior executive studies at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Later, Allen co-founded a technology company, started in his apartment with a fellow ECU graduate. Over 19 years, they grew the company to serve 160 medical facilities in 26 states. During this time, Allen knew he wanted to do more for his community and see Eastern North Carolina reach its potential. Pursuing a ground-up approach, he volunteered and raised money for crucial medical, education, and regional initiatives. After serving on and chairing several boards and commissions in the community, he was proud to be elected by the citizens of Greenville (NC-03’s largest city, pop. 97,000) for three terms as mayor.

The state's 3rd District will also vote on Tuesday in a race to replace Rep. Walter Jones (R), who died earlier this year. But state Rep. Greg Murphy (R) is widely expected to win that race.

Called to Serve
Dan McCready is a Marine Corps veteran, small business owner, husband, and father of four. Dan’s running for U.S. Congress as a Democrat in North Carolina’s 9th District. After his opponent’s campaign committed election fraud in last November’s election, a re-do special election is being held on September 10. Dan’s running for Congress to put country over party and lower healthcare and prescription drug costs, cut middle class taxes, and strengthen public schools.

North Carolina's 9th District will vote on Tuesday, in a do-over of the 2018 race whose results were tossed out because of widespread ballot fraud. The race is widely seen as neck-and-neck in what has traditionally been a Republican stronghold.