Updated: 72nd A.D. candidate Allen has apparently donated to Democrats

The race for the 72nd Assembly District has narrowed, with the exits of Matt Harper and Tyler Diep – but the entry of Huntington Beach resident, and businessman,Travis Allen and Los Alamitos Council Member Troy Edgar has kept things interesting.  Allen and Edgar have the resources to make the open June primary a very expensive endeavor.  So does Vietnamese businessman, and fellow Republican Long Pham, who has also invested six figures into his campaign.

But Allen’s fellow Republicans might be a bit shocked to find out that Allen has apparently donated to Democrats before, according to the website Campaign Money.  He reportedly donated in 2010 to:

• 4 for Senate Victory, Democrat ($250)
• Act Blue ($250)
• the Democratic Party of Orange County ($250)

In 2012, Allen has also donated to:

• Sherman for Congress, Democrat ($500)

Update: I got the following information from the Edgar campaign today, indicating even more contributions to Democrats, by Allen:

To be fair, Allen has also donated to a few Republicans, but the news that he has donated to Democrats is not going to sit well with many Orange County Republicans.

I am sure that Democratic 72nd A.D. candidate Joe Dovinh wishes Allen wasn’t in the race, as he could then hit him up for a campaign donation!

Allen’s campaign issued a press release today ripping Harper for endorsing Edgar, over Allen, thereby slapping the face of the residents of Huntington Beach.  Allen was quoted thusly in the press release:

“Personally I am shocked by Mr. Harper’s announcement and like most residents, find myself questioning his motivation for abandoning the people of Huntington Beach when we need him most.”  Allen added, “When personal agenda takes precedence over the taxpayer’s best interest, the balance of power has been compromised and an individual’s true colors are revealed. It is definitely time to bring the power back to the residents of Huntington Beach and select a local candidate that doesn’t just represent the residents, but is one of the residents.” 

Harper had a rough time raising money.  He ended his campaign in debt.  It is quite possible that Edgar is going to help Harper pay his campaign bills.

Allen’s campaign also issued a separate press release touting the support of “local residents and community leaders.”

Here is an excerpt from that press release:

Local residents and community leaders have quickly rallied behind Mr. Allen’s candidacy for Huntington Beach Assembly and one respected Orange County Philanthropist and long time Huntington Beach business owner Ed Laird was quite demonstrative when he said, “I’m on board with Travis Allen for the 72nd Assembly District. I’ve lived and worked in Huntington Beach for a long time and we have always had our Assembly District Representative live in our community. As one of the largest cities in the State it is important that the concept of representation works.” Laird continued, “Travis Allen is a long time resident of Orange County and a Huntington Beach Resident. He is young, enthusiastic and above all, passionate about the things that count. He is a successful financial planner and understands how to manage money and make currency work for you. He will undoubtedly do that for us in Sacramento.”

So who is Allen?  According to his publicist, Allen is:

Considered a financial wunderkind and born leader by his colleagues, clients and peers, Travis Allen has become Huntington Beach’s great hope for the Assembly and beyond. Mr. Allen is a Certified Financial Planner and the President of the Wealth Strategies Group, a wealth management firm located in Costa Mesa, California. Moreover, Mr. Allen is an upstanding member of the Financial Planning Association, the Orange County Forum, the South Coast Metro Alliance, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the Pacific Council on Foreign Policy, and the World Affairs Council of Orange County.

Allen has “pledged to make Sacramento work harder, more efficiently and be more responsive to the actual issues affecting every voter and taxpayer in Huntington Beach, CA. Jobs, business growth and expansion, and budget cuts are among his top priorities.”

But according to his Linkedin page, Allen ” frequently visits Washington DC to stay current on domestic affairs and strengthen his relationships with Congressional representatives on both sides of the political spectrum.”

Clearly Allen likes to work both sides of the aisle.  That may upset some Republicans but in an open primary, maybe that is not a bad idea?