KENNESAW — British-born Kennesaw resident Allan Levene, a naturalized citizen, knows he has an uphill battle on his hands in the race for Congress’ District 11 seat on Nov. 6. Besides challenging popular incumbent Phil Gingrey, voters won’t see Levene’s name on their ballots.

“I’m running as the only official write-in candidate for the 11th,” he said. “It’s a steep challenge, but I can win, if I become known and people spell my name correctly, or those votes will be voided.”

Georgia’s 11th Congressional district includes all of Bartow and Cherokee counties, and the middle, diagonal portion of Cobb, from the northwest to the southeast.

Married with no children, political newcomer Levene said now is the time for him to run for office.

“Being 63, I don’t have the luxury of time as I’ll probably be dead in 10 years, so am running for Congress to represent the 11th District now,” he said. “If I would have entered politics 20 years ago, I would have gone the traditional route — state representative or senator, mayor and then to Congress. It’s too late for that.”

It’s not too late, however, to rescue his adopted country, for which Levene abandoned his business studies at the University of Westminster in London.

“I’m not about to let this country slide without a fight,” he said. “I’ve seen the United Kingdom decline; I don’t want it to happen here.”

The president of Network Consultants, a provider of data center equipment and virtual Windows desktops, Levene said his plans to “reenergize the economy” will help reduce unemployment by putting an average of $500 in homeowners’ pockets.

“Companies won’t hire as we aren’t confident in our future. I will work to force the banks to lower the mortgage interest rates for homeowners that have current mortgages without any paperwork,” Levene said. “When people spend, business booms.”

Corporate tax reform will reverse the trend of losing jobs overseas.

“We should reduce the corporate tax rate to zero,” Levene said. “Foreign corporations will flock here as the U.S. will become a tax haven. The domestic corporations will start hiring again.”

Levene said his third priority is establishing term limits for members of Congress.

“That will clear them out, and allow the next generation to assume the mantle of power and not be as beholden to special interests as politicians are today,” he said.

Levene said his campaign fund net cash on hand is about $4,000.