Allen West | |
---|---|
Chair of the Texas Republican Party | |
In office July 20, 2020 – July 11, 2021 | |
Preceded by | James Dickey |
Succeeded by | Matt Rinaldi |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 22nd district | |
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013 | |
Preceded by | Ron Klein |
Succeeded by | Lois Frankel |
Personal details | |
Born | Allen Bernard West February 7, 1961 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Angela Graham |
Children | 2 |
Education | University of Tennessee (BA) Kansas State University (MA) United States Army Command and General Staff College (MMAS) |
Website | Official website |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States Texas |
Branch/service | United States Army Texas State Guard |
Years of service | 1982–2004 (U.S. Army) 2019–present (Texas State Guard) |
Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
Commands | 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment |
Battles/wars | Persian Gulf War Iraq War |
Awards | Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal Army Achievement Medal |
Allen Bernard West (born February 7, 1961)[1] is an American political commentator and politician. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party, West represented Florida's 22nd congressional district in the House from 2011 to 2013.
In July 2019, West announced he would be running for the chairmanship of the Republican Party of Texas in 2020.[2] He won the election, however, resigned at Texas GOP Chair in 2021.
On May 23, 2020, West was in a motorcycle crash just outside Waco, Texas.[3]
West unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination for Governor of Texas, challenging incumbent Governor Greg Abbott.[4]
In October 2021, West was diagnosed with COVID-19 and pneumonia.[5] While hospitalized, he continued to criticize COVID-19 vaccinations and mask mandates.[6][7]