(I have asked the candidates involved in next Saturday's runoff to send me a brief statement saying why people should vote for them in that runoff. I will run the responses for candidates for each race concurrently. This statement is from Lawrence Allen in District D.)

My name is Lawrence Allen and I am asking you for your support for Houston City Council, District D. I have been a life long resident of District D, and have given back to the community as a Teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal in District D schools (Dowling Middle School, Jack Yates High School and Jones High School). I graduated from Jones High School and eventually returned to serve as Principal. I am currently serving District D as an elected Member of the Texas State Board of Education. During the last legislative session I represented Houston Independent School District, rallying support for the issues that affect our community schools. As a proud husband and father, I am committed to rearing my children, along with my wife Clothild Allen, in the community. I believe that District D has much to offer, and in the hope that our children will grow up with the same desire to give back to their community.

The people of District D should vote for me because I will always have their best interest at heart. District D is experiencing a change and I want to nurture that change. Businesses are prospering, the community bond is strengthening and I believe that the District is ready for a visionary with new ideas.

I have consistently expressed that my priorities for District D are quality of life (after school programs and park development), housing (mixed income housing and structural integrity), infrastructure (flood control and road improvement) and safety, but above all else, I want the people to tell me what they want. I want to be their voice.