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David "Hawk" Allen
Office history
David "Hawk" Allen is one of seven candidates for Criminal Court Judge Division VIII (District 30, unexpired term) on the August 6, 2026 Shelby County ballot 12. The race is non-partisan. He is 49 and lives in Memphis 4.
Current office and 2026 campaign
Allen serves as an Assistant Public Defender in the Direct Representation Unit at the Shelby County Public Defender's Office 3. DRU attorneys handle misdemeanor and felony cases from General Sessions through grand jury indictment and jury trial, representing indigent clients throughout the process 3.
Background and education
Allen holds a bachelor's degree in anthropology and creative writing and completed a graduate program in criminal justice before earning his JD from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law 3. During law school he volunteered pro bono hours toward criminal-record expungement services for Memphis residents 3.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
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State offices (Governor, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee, statewide judiciary) —
Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.
Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Allen”, and submit.
US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the FEC — see the federal section below. - County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“Allen”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Allen”and, if needed, select the applicable position.