Lucas Allen, 42, registered as a write-in candidate for the At-Large City Commissioner race Monday, joining fellow write-in candidate Torrey Brown. The seat is currently held by incumbent Clayton Lyczynski who is not seeking reelection.

Allen is a Three Rivers native, and has a degree in criminal justice from Western Michigan University. He served in the United States Marine Corps, earning the rank of sergeant, and is a Purple Heart recipient, which is awarded to those wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. Military. He also served as a Police Officer/School Resource Officer for the Benton Harbor Police Department. He previously ran for Fabius Township trustee in 2016 but did not win. Lucas’ father Dennis Allen serves on the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners as chairperson.

From 2002 to 2019, Lucas Allen had multiple run-ins with law enforcement, according to records obtained by Watershed Voice through the Michigan State Police Department. In November 2002, Allen was cited for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, and was cited again for the same offense in October 2015. In September 2018, he was cited for assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer but the case was ultimately dropped after being bound over to 45th Circuit Court. In February 2019, Allen was initially charged with misdemeanor assault and family offenses but pled down to one count of disturbing the peace. According to court records, Allen was then sentenced to 24 months of probation, required alcohol testing, and participation in the Celebrate Recovery program in August 2019.

Watershed Voice scheduled an interview with Allen to discuss his candidacy and record but Allen had to cancel for personal reasons. The at-large commissioner race will be the lone contested seat in this year’s city election, with Mayor Tom Lowry and Commissioners Pat Dane and Chris Abel running unopposed. Polls open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, November 2.

Alek Haak-Frost is executive editor of Watershed Voice.