Allen was a newspaper editor by trade, and served in the
Iowa House of Representatives from 1927 to 1933. He unsuccessfully sought election to the
U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa in 1940. Allen was a supporter of
Franklin D. Roosevelt, and referred to Republican concerns over Roosevelt's long term a 'phony issue', and brought attention to
Harold Knutson, a Republican member of congress who had served for (at the time) 26 years, compared to Roosevelt's twelve. Byron G. Allen was nominated for governor by the newly formed
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in
1944. Allen was from the Democratic wing, as an unknown
dark horse candidate. Allen's oratory skills were credited to his nomination. Allen was also supported by Vice President
Henry A. Wallace. Allen ran as a
liberal, running on a more moderate platform than the Farmer-Labor party had in previous elections, what was called 'progressive but not radical'. Allen also made clear he believed conservatives had no place in the DFL. Allen's strategy was to ensure the DFL fell in line with him and his campaign manager
Hubert Humphrey, and once the party was united behind them, victory over the Republicans would follow. Allen was unsuccessful, and incumbent Republican
Edward John Thye won the election. Allen later served as commissioner of the
Minnesota Department of Agriculture from 1955 to 1961 under Governor
Orville Freeman, and as assistant U.S. secretary of agriculture from 1961 to 1969, also under Freeman, who was appointed
U.S. secretary of agriculture by President
John F. Kennedy. == Personal life ==