Local governance, Allen has said in previous interviews, can be frustrating.
But the former Erie Times-News editor and reporter, who was first elected to City Council in 2017, ultimately decided to launch a re-election bid because she feels that city government has plenty of room to grow and improve, and she wants to be a part of that.
"There is much more to do," said Allen, 69, said in a February interview. "I want to continue to scrutinize the budget and ask the hard questions."
Allen is among eight Democrats and two Republicans in the City Council race. Four of City Council's seven seats are on the ballot in the May 18 municipal primary.