User:BrownsFan123/sandbox

About
Allen Blakemore (born April 12, 1960) is an American political consultant and chief strategist for lieutenant governor Dan Patrick. He and his wife Elizabeth founded Blakemore & Associates, a political and fundraising consulting firm based in Houston, Texas. Allen was also selected as a fellow at the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Republican Congressional Campaign Academy. He has been campaign manager or lead consultant on U.S. Congressional campaigns from El Paso, Texas to Orange, Texas. Previously, Blakemore served both US Senator John Tower and Phil Gramm as Regional Director for West Texas operations. His creative talents earned the firm two prestigious Pollie Awards from the American Association of Political Consultants during the 1994 and 1998 elections.

Early Life & Education
A third generation Texan, Allen was born in Houston and raised in Dallas. He graduated from Lakehill Preparatory School in 1978. Blakemore graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in International Trade.

Career
Blakemore served both US Senator John Tower and Phil Gramm as Regional Director for West Texas operations while completing his studies at Texas Tech. Allen was then selected as a fellow at the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Republican Congressional Campaign Academy. He has been campaign manager or lead consultant on U.S. Congressional campaigns from El Paso, Texas to Orange, Texas.

In 1987 he was an Associate Producer for William F. Buckley, Jr.’s Firing Line television program’s broadcast of the first live, televised, debates for the 1988 Presidential Primary campaign for both the Republican and Democratic Parties.

Together with his wife Elizabeth, Allen Blakemore launched Houston-based Blakemore & Associates in 1988. The firm now provides a wide range of political services including strategy, tactical implementation and fundraising as well as government relations consulting and lobbying. Blakemore & Associates serve a vast group of clients and some of the largest and most respected Texas corporations. Their clients include federal, state, county, and city candidates, established civic associations, political action committee's and much more.

In 2005, Allen Blakemore directed his work towards public affairs through the creation of Blakemore Public Affairs in Austin, Texas in 2015. Blakemore has since broken onto the scene, being listed by the Capitol Inside as Texas' Top Lobbyists breaking into the "Top 10" in 2015. He serves a variety of clients with a many interests, including: energy, healthcare, technology, education, transportation, taxation and regulation

Recognitions, Affiliations & Memberships
Allen has a long history of remaining the ranks of the top political consultants in Texas. The Houston Press named him the "Best Republican" in their "Best of Houston" series[1 in 2003. In the 2014 Primary Runoff, he earned the “Most Valuable Player” designation from Capitol Inside in the 2014 Primary Run-Off and was named as part of the All-Star team for the 2014 General Election.

Over the past two decades, Blakemore's general consulting clients have won 347 of 406 campaigns.

Blakemore is a frequently quoted source in the state and national media. He has earned two “Pollie Awards ” from the American Association of Political Consultants, and recognition by the Newspaper Association of America as creator of one of “50 of the Best Political Newspaper Ads." He was listed as one of the top 50 most influential Republican figures in Texas politics and government by Campaigns and Elections magazine.

Personal life
Blakemore is an avid supporter of law enforcement, serving on the board of the Texas Department of Public Safety Foundation. In addition, Blakemore served as the former president of the Sentinel Club, an organization that raises funds to support West University Place public safety officers. Blakemore is also very active in his local community, serving as a Life-Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, as well as serving on the committee of the World Championship Bar-B-Que Contest Committee. Formerly, Blakemore served as a city-wide chairman of the Neighborhood Watch Program and on the Executive Committee for Young Life -- Southwest Houston.

An avid hunter and sportsman, Allen has been triple certified by the National Rifle Association as a rifle, pistol, and shotgun instructor.

He and his wife Elizabeth have two daughters and are members of First Presbyterian Church. They live in Houston.

Category:1960 births