Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I was born (12-13-51) and raised in Hickory, Catawba County, N.C., and now live on the same street in Hickory that parents (Albert and Mary Allran) moved to in the 1950s. My family has lived in the Lincoln/Catawba/Burke County area since before the American Revolution. I have been married to Judy Mosbach Allran for 30 years and we have two daughters, Elizabeth and Catherine. I am a life-long member of Corinth Reformed Church, Hickory, where my family have been members for six generations.

I am a graduate of Duke U. (B.A., '74 in English and history), Southern Methodist University School of Law (J.D., '78), and N.C. State U. (M.A. in English). I have practiced law in Hickory for 31 years and taught school on the college level on a part-time basis. I have served in the State Legislature for 30 years, following in the footsteps of my great grandfather and great-great grandfather, first in the N.C. House (3 terms), then in the N.C. Senate (now in my 12th term).

I am a conservative Republican dedicated to conservative principles. I believe that the failure to abide by traditional American values is the reason for our current economic and social ills, and I believe that a return to these values will put our state and nation back onto the road to recovery. I believe that government, especially on the federal level, is too large, too intrusive, and too expensive. It needs to be drastically curtailed.

On the state level, spending is not under control at this time. Because of this, the number-one priority of a Republican majority in the State Legislature, if one is achieved this November, will be to get a handle on spending. After doing that, we will then be able to address the issues of tax reform and tax relief. Too much spending has necessitated over-taxation. Scaling back spending and the size of government will allow for tax relief. Tax relief will make N.C. competitive again so that we will be once again viewed as a "business friendly" state, a good environment for small business to grow jobs.