Hickory Daily Record, Austin Allran, Catawba County commissioner candidate

Ballotpedia, Austin M. Allran

Catawba County, Board of Commissioners

Austin holds a bachelor’s degree in history and English from Duke University, a master’s degree in creative writing and film from North Carolina State University, and a law degree from Southern Methodist University. He is a Christian. 

Austin Allran serves as a Catawba County Commissioner. He was elected to this position in 2020, and is serving his first term. He previously served in the North Carolina State Senate representing District 42. He was elected to this position in 1986, and served for 14 terms. He also served in the North Carolina House of Representatives. He was elected to that position in 1981, and served for three terms. 

As of June 14, 2024, Austin Allran did not have a website or any information online.

Public Services

Said during his 2020 campaign for County Commissioner, attracting and retaining young professionals through developing amenities, training workers for jobs currently open, and carefully managing growth in the southern part of the county are top priorities if elected.

Plans to manage taxpayer funds carefully, and supports opportunities where taxpayers can save money without needing to sacrificing services.

Wants to ensure wise spending, and "cut out waste" whenever possible, including any duplications.

Opposes gambling, saying "The idea that the state of North Carolina should legally be running a gambling operation and taking money from the people least able to able to pay … I think is just terrible."

- Said during his 2020 campaign for County Commissioner, attracting and retaining young professionals through developing amenities, training workers for jobs currently open, and carefully managing growth in the southern part of the county are top priorities if elected.
- Plans to manage taxpayer funds carefully, and supports opportunities where taxpayers can save money without needing to sacrificing services.
- Wants to ensure wise spending, and "cut out waste" whenever possible, including any duplications.
- Opposes gambling, saying "The idea that the state of North Carolina should legally be running a gambling operation and taking money from the people least able to able to pay … I think is just terrible."

Economy

Education

Supports "safeguarding religious freedoms."

Opposes the "efforts of the American Civil Liberties Union to take the cross off the county seal, which I think...was just an abomination."

- Opposes gun control.
- Supports "safeguarding religious freedoms."
- Opposes the "efforts of the American Civil Liberties Union to take the cross off the county seal, which I think...was just an abomination."
- Opposes abortion.

Public Safety

Said during his 2020 campaign for County Commissioner, affordable housing is an issue, and he wants to work with local governments on zoning in an effort to address this issue,

- Said during his 2020 campaign for County Commissioner, affordable housing is an issue, and he wants to work with local governments on zoning in an effort to address this issue,

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

Facebook

Austin Allran

Austin Allran serves as a Catawba County Commissioner. He was elected to this position in 2020, and is serving his first term. He previously served in the North Carolina State Senate representing District 42. He was elected to this position in 1986, and served for fourteen terms. He also served in the North Carolina House of Representatives. He was elected to that position in 1981, and served for three terms. 

As of June 14, 2024, Austin Allran did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Supports safeguarding religious freedoms.

- Opposes gun control.
- Supports safeguarding religious freedoms.
- Opposes the "efforts of the American Civil Liberties Union to take the cross off the county seal, which I think...was just an abomination."
- Opposes abortion.

Austin Allran serves as a Catawba County Commissioner. He was elected to this position in 2020, and is serving his first term. He previously served in the North Carolina Senate representing District 42. He was elected to this position in 1986, and served for fourteen terms. He also served in the North Carolina House of Representatives. He was elected to that position in 1981, and served for three terms. 

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.