Kevin Allen, Addison
Kevin Allen was a political Independent who hadn't worked on a campaign for more than a decade.
But the prospect of an Obama presidency was so compelling to this Addison marketing executive that he got involved even before Barack Obama announced his run.
"I did kind of want to just not miss the ride," Allen said.
Allen, 44, and his fiancee ended up leading a team that knocked on more than 10,000 doors last year. He also was persuaded to put his own name in the ring - still as an Independent - for state Senate. And he's now "fully involved in grass-roots organizing (with) a deepening commitment to public service."
Allen was in Grant Park on election night, and said he wouldn't miss the inauguration for anything - even without the tickets that he "tried every avenue to get." He does plan to attend an unofficial inaugural ball, watch the events on the National Mall with friends and was to work with veterans at Walter Reed Medical Center Monday as part of Obama's National Day of Service.