Oral History Interview with David Allred, August 9, 1967 Page: 29
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Allred
29
But even though I might not be afraid for my seat, the mere
fact that I have an opponent means that I have to get out and
campaign. This is a personal inconvenience and an expense. What
I am saying is that, for example, I don't really anticipate an
opponent next time because it is traditional that you at least get
a second term, if not more. Also I don't think that I've made any-
one particularly mad at me even though I have taken some pretty
strong stands. I don't think I have really highly alienated
anybody to where they would want to put somebody in against me.
But if I have any opponent at all, I am going to have to campaign
because otherwise I look like I was sitting back smugly and saying,
"Well I am not even worried." You have to get out and make a few
appearances, have some cards printed up, run a few TV spots, and
shake hands. The amount of campaigning depends on your estimate
of your opponent's strength. But even a token candidate can cost
you money and trouble.
Actually public service generally costs people rather than
making them money. For example, during the session you have your
expenses of maintaining your home in your home district and your
home in Austin. You have travel back and forth. The state of
Texas pays for one round trip. If you go down to Austin and forget
about your district for five months and don't show up, there's likely
to be somebody in the next election. That somebody has been making
the Knights of Columbus picnics and such events and shaking hands.
Forget your district and he is going to be in that seat instead of
you. So the result is that it costs money in the long run that
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Marcello, Ronald E.; Kamp, H. W. & Allred, David. Oral History Interview with David Allred, August 9, 1967, book, November 20, 1968; Denton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth223569/m1/30/?rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Oral History Program.