Allen L. Ellison

Allen was born in Avon Park, Florida on November 21, 1980 to a minister and a disabilities instructor, both of whom taught him the importance of service. Known for his vision and perspective, he was raised in the agricultural based, rural city of Wauchula, Florida.

After graduating from Hardee Senior High School in 1999, Allen went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with a concentration in Business Administration from Florida Southern College where he was elected Treasurer of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, FSC Chapter and soon thereafter, became the organization’s first African-American President.

During this time, he was actively involved in community organizing initiatives. These efforts led to the creation of The Community Economic Council, Inc. in which he served as Treasurer and later serving as the organization’s advocate in Washington, DC. The CEC was created to educate and inspire members of the community on the issues surrounding business ownership, trade and commerce.
During his tenure at the CEC, Allen hosted community forums, town hall meetings and events that were designed to strengthen the communities in the areas of business and home ownership, public-private partnerships, government contracting, financial literacy, trade and commerce.

Allen later founded the Center for Economic & Policy Development. (The Center) to facilitate economic growth throughout Central Florida and rural parts of the country. His vision, core philosophies and strong principles are igniting young future leaders from around the country through The Emerging Leaders Initiative, a project placed under The Center. This initiative facilitates his vision of pairing young bright minds with current leaders in the fields of medicine, science, engineering, law, policy and politics.
In 2018, Allen Ellison, Democratic Nominee for Florida’s 17th U.S. Congressional District, made an impressive showing on November 6th to his opponent, an experienced and well known candidate who has served three terms in the Florida House. The youthful political newcomer, Ellison, won an impressive 37.7% of the vote with 62.3 % for his opponent.

This was a remarkable showing for Ellison, considering that his name was not even placed on the ballot as April Freeman, candidate for this Congressional seat died unexpectedly on September 23, 2018, and Ellison beat out several contenders as the replacement candidate.
It was no small task for Ellison who had only 28 days to build and run a campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in the largest congressional district in Florida that covers the nine sprawling counties of Lee, Sarasota, Polk, Charlotte, De Soto, Okeechobee, Highlands, Glades and Hardee. Ellison spoke to groups throughout the district that is as much rural as urban, meeting with ranchers and growers concerned with threats from the citrus greening disease that imperils this vital industry. He connected with many of the 1.4 million residents of the district.

He is running for office, because he believes in achieving a brighter future for Florida and for this country. Allen believes in fostering an environment to enhance economic opportunities for everyone by providing meaningful job prospects at every skill level. He believes in securing the future of the United States. He feels that the country is in need of new leadership with new ideas in order to overcome new and existing challenges.