By Thomas Warren III, Editor-in-Chief

The issue of campaign finance is one where a number in a wrong place could result in a fine from a governing authority. Candidates and committees must stay on top of their finances to ensure they properly report all required information to stay in compliance with rules and regulations. However, while candidates and committees typically strive to present as much correct information as possible, it seems that some reporters who want to talk about campaign finance still do not understand what any of these rules or regulations mean.

On Thursday night KAMR-TV ran a story focusing on campaign finances in the Republican race for U.S. House District 13. Specifically, the station seemed to take direct aim at Republican runoff candidate Ronny Jackson, alleging that he had “raised” contributions from Miles of Greatness Fund, a super PAC chaired by Alex Fairly and former Amarillo Mayor Jerry Hodge. The story specifically stated Jackson’s campaign had raised over $500,000 from PACs and most from Miles of Greatness Fund. Later in the story, the station also made an incorrect claim about Josh Winegarner’s campaign receiving a contribution from a super PAC, but it seems the majority of the station’s spotlight was on Jackson.

While it is true Jackson has benefited from support by Miles of Greatness Fund, it is absolutely not true that Jackson’s campaign has received any direct contributions from this entity. Miles of Greatness Fund is a super PAC, meaning it can have no direct coordination with the Jackson campaign, including support through contributions. If a super PAC made a direct contribution to a candidate, this would run afoul of campaign finance rules as enforced by the Federal Election Commission. It is no surprise then that Jackson’s campaign has not reported a single direct contribution from a super PAC, contrary to what KAMR’s report stated.

Jackson’s campaign issued a statement on Friday morning about the story, blasting KAMR for incorrectly reporting the facts. Shortly after, KAMR anchor Jackie Kingston sent out a tweet saying, “I stand by our reporting.” I think it is wonderful Ms. Kingston is proud of her station’s reporting, but what would perhaps make the entire community proud of KAMR’s reporting is if the details in controversial stories like the one about Jackson’s campaign finance were accurate.

In my opinion, it has been clear for many years that KAMR has shown itself to be the Amarillo establishment’s favorite television station. While KAMR has failed to ask the tough questions of the establishment and allied groups like Amarillo Matters, it has been more than happy to take opposing candidates and officials to task for whatever they feel necessary, even if it means utilizing incorrect reporting. For example, I would remind everyone of KAMR’s consistent reporting failures during the 2015-2017 Amarillo City Council’s tenure.

My hope is that in the future KAMR will be more willing to actually fact check information on important issues like campaign finance rules before running stories. Running stories with incorrect information hurts the electorate’s ability to be informed, engaged, and empowered at the ballot box. And at this point in Amarillo’s political landscape, we need every voter to be accurately informed.