Traverse City businessman announces run for Congress.

Jason Allen announces his candidacy this morning. Photo compliments 7&4 News.

TRAVERSE CITY — Jason Allen, a Traverse City businessman announced this morning he is going to run for congress. Allen is running as a Republican for Michigan 1st Congressional District, a seat that is currently occupied by Dan Benishek (R-Iron River). Benishek is retiring from the seat at the end of this year.

Allen made the announcement at his family business Captain’s Quarters, a clothing store located in Traverse City.  He is currently the vice-president of Captain’s Quarters and a veteran.

The 1st Congressional District represents the entire Upper Peninsula and most of the northern Lower Peninsula, including part of Mason County.

  “It’s time we had a conservative voice for upper Michigan,” Allen said. “I want to help undo all the damage Barack Obama’s administration and the Washington ruling class have done to the families in upper Michigan. It’s time we had a government that lived within its means, a tax system which was simple, flat and fair, and a regulatory system which fostered job-growth instead of discouraging economic development.”

  Allen announced a kickoff tour with additional stops including Sault Ste. Marie, Petoskey, Marquette, Cheboygan and many other stops across the 1st district. Earlier today, Jason Allen signed the American for Tax Reform Pledge and committed to not raising taxes if elected to Congress, according to a press release.

  “Washington and Lansing are spending too much and taxing too much.  Washington and Lansing have made it too costly to raise a family, too hard to understand an ever-changing regulatory environment, and too difficult to achieve the American dream.  Enough is enough. It’s time to have a common sense government.  And that’s why I am running for Congress.”

  Since 2011, Allen has served as the senior policy advisor for the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for the State of Michigan. Prior to his appointment as senior policy advisor, Allen served two terms in the Michigan State Senate and two terms in the Michigan State House of Representatives.  Allen also served in the Michigan National Guard as an E4 specialist.

  “For the last five years, I have worked to fix a broken veterans system. So many of our veterans’ systems need real leadership to fix them.  We owe them so much, and we need to deliver on our promises.  I understand where the worst problems lie and I am committed to going to Washington to repair the damage and provide the care we need to our veterans. I will do that and be a leader if elected to Congress.”

  Allen is a member of the Central United Methodist Church and is an Eagle Scout who remains involved in scouting, serving on the President Gerald R. Ford Council Executive Board and counseling merit badges.  He is strong supporter of the Second Amendment and sportsmen and is a member of the Ducks Unlimited, Michigan Whitetails, the Ruffed Grouse Society, the American Legion and a life member of NRA, according to his press release.

  Allen has been married to his wife, Suzanne, for 23 years.  They have three children.  He attended Northwestern Michigan College and then transferred to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, earning a bachelor’s degree in finance.

  For more information, see http://www.JasonAllen.comc