05/28/2006

Senator's assets: Money, spouse leadership position

Allen has cash, connections for leadership run

by brian mcgillivary

bmcgillivary@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — State Sen. Jason Allen parlayed $233,000 in campaign contributions into becoming the odds-on favorite to capture the top job in the Michigan Senate.

By mid-April, Allen doled out $65,000 to nine Republican Senate campaign committees in his quest to replace term-limited Sen. Ken Sikkema as Senate Majority Leader.

"At this point I'd make him a 3-2 favorite," said political pundit Bill Ballenger, publisher of Inside Michigan Politics. "He's positioned himself well through fundraising and his relationship with other senators."

Allen raised more money in his campaign committee and his two leadership political action committees than other potential contenders, including state senators Wayne Kuipers of Holland and Michael Bishop of Rochester.

"The meaning of a leader in the Michigan legislature is sadly enough the ability to raise money," said Rich Robinson, of the nonpartisan Michigan Campaign Finance Network. "Allen's a prodigious fundraiser and has a ton of money to pass around to his caucus members in need."

Lansing lobbyist Dennis Cawthorne said politicians seeking a leadership position must raise significant money in today's political climate and it becomes a big factor in choosing a leader.

Allen said maintaining a Republican majority is his top priority and raising money is an important tool to reach that goal.

Allen's legislative record of introducing high-profile legislation may not be strong, but Ballenger said power and success in the Senate often goes to behind-the-scenes operators.

"Senate leadership is basically about working from consensus, pulling together 21 other people to get them marching in lock-step to reach your goals," he said.

If Allen becomes Senate Majority Leader, his salary will jump from $79,650 to $105,650. That comes on top of $12,000 a year for meals, lodging, and other expenses while in Lansing

However, his wife, Suzanne Miller Allen, will lose her $117,300 a year job as Sikkema's chief of staff.

Senate rules were changed when Allen was elected to allow Suzanne Allen to remain on Sikkema's staff, but she cannot work directly for her husband.

Suzanne Allen has worked for 16 years in the House and Senate, almost exclusively for the Republican leaders of the respective chambers.

State Legislatures Magazine calls her one of the most powerful women in Michigan's legislature and several Lansing insiders said she has been a valuable asset in her husband's race for the majority.

"Suzanne Allen is very knowledgeable in political matters and she knows how to get things done," Cawthorne said. "In that case, she is a significant asset."