Allen Andersen is running for the legislative seat he held 2003-2004 in Bannock County's District 29 in Idaho. In the most conservative state in the nation, Bannock County is proud to currently have 5 out of its 6 legislative seats held by Democrats.

Allen is trying to take that 6th seat back from his opponent who won in 2004. His opponent is an out-of-touch far right conservative rancher who in the last year has voted against background checks and first aid training for daycare workers and against highway funding for his hometown to fix a road that has claimed numerous lives.

While in the Legislature, Allen built a strong record of standing up against special interests and the effects of corporate lobbyists, excellent constituent service and response while leading on issues such as prison terms for violent sex offenders and education funding and teacher training.

Allen is running a strong campaign including several mailers, TV, billboards, going door to door several days a week and paid ID polling among other things. The Bannock County Democrats are known statewide for their massive and effective get-out-the-vote program involving hundreds of volunteers and poll watchers and tens of thousands of Election Day phone calls.

Allen is currently also serving as the Chair of the Bannock County Democrats in addition to running for the legislative seat. His wife, Beverly, is the county campaign headquarters office manager. They are both retired teachers and Allen worked for many years as a regional director for the Idaho Education Association.

Granted, Allen regaining his seat would not tip the balance in favor of the Democrats in the Idaho Legislature--we have our work cut out for us on that front. But it would send a strong message to the Republican Party in Idaho that they can take no seat for granted and that Democrats have the right idea about how to lead this country into the future.