Doris Allen

Who was Doris Allen?

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, Allen 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.

Allen 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 the House 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 keep him in power.

Meanwhile Allen was running in a special election for her State Senate seat. She became enraged when GOP party leaders officially endorsed a fellow assemblyman with a more conservative voting record than hers and who had moved into the district to run.