Doris Allen (politician)
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Doris Allen (1936 – September 22, 1999) served in the California Assembly from 1982 to 1995 and as Speaker of that body from June 5 to September 14, 1995, before being recalled from office by irate constituents.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Allen was a Republican, but when Republicans gained a one-vote majority in 1995, threatening longtime Democratic Speaker Willie Brown's hold on power, Brown convinced Allen and another Republican, Brian Setencich, to vote with the Democrats. Brown had Allen elected Speaker, but in name only, since Brown continued to lead the legislative body as head of the Democratic caucus.
Allen's defection outraged her Republican colleagues, led by Curt Pringle, as well as her Republican constituents, who in November 1995 recalled her from office. Before her removal, however, Allen resigned as Speaker, handing the gavel over to Setencich. However, in January 1996, when Brown resigned his seat in the State Assembly and was sworn in as mayor of San Francisco, Setencich would lose that vote, restoring the Republicans' majority and allowing them to elect Pringle as Speaker in January 1996.
Allen died of stomach and colon cancer at her home in Colorado Springs on September 22, 1999.
Preceded by Willie Brown |
Speaker of the California State Assembly June 5, 1995�September 14, 1995 |
Succeeded by Brian Setencich |
Speakers of the California State Assembly |
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