The results are in for the 2020 Amarillo Pioneer State of Government Survey! In total, 114 responses were recorded as our readers made their voices heard again this year. Here’s some key takeaways from the survey:
1.) Pioneer readers cite President Trump as their favorite elected official, Amarillo City Councilman Howard Smith as their least favorite elected official.
President Donald Trump’s popularity was still high with readers of the Amarillo Pioneer in this year’s survey, winning approval from 79% of those surveyed. Rounding out the top three for popularity was Senator Ted Cruz with 71% approval, and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller at 42%.
Meanwhile, the least favored elected official was Amarillo City Councilman Howard Smith who received job approval from 3% of those surveyed.
2.) Ronny Jackson, Steven Denny favored in Republican runoff elections.
Ronny Jackson was picked as our readers’ favorite candidate for U.S. Congress, winning his survey, 89% to 11%. Meanwhile, Steven Denny was also favored for the 7th Court of Appeals, Place 4 primary election, 72% to 28%.
3.) A majority of Pioneer readers say the local and state response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been “poor” or “very poor.”
Overall, Pioneer readers were concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic and the government’s response, with 58% of readers rating the state and local government response to the pandemic as “poor” or “very poor.” At the same time, 37% of readers said the response has been either “fair” or “excellent.”
4.) Readers most concerned about transparency issues in local government.
Of all local issues provided as options, the readers of the Pioneer said they are most concerned about transparency issues in local government, with 32% of respondents rating that as their top concern. Tax and budget issues were a close second at 26%, followed by the distant-third place job creation at 11%.
For full results, see below:
Did you vote in the 2019 Amarillo municipal election?
Yes, I voted - 66%
I was eligible to vote, but did not vote - 5%
I was not eligible to vote in this election - 29%
What is your political affiliation?
Republican - 63%
Democratic - 5%
Libertarian - 11%
Independent - 18%
Other - 3%
FOR REPUBLICANS
Did you vote in the Republican Party's primary election on March 3?
Yes, I voted - 86%
No, I did not vote - 14%
Will you be voting in the July 14 Republican runoff election?
Yes, I will vote/I have already voted - 100%
In the race for U.S. House District 13, who is your preferred candidate?
Ronny Jackson - 89%
Josh Winegarner - 11%
In the race for 7th Court of Appeals, Place 4, who is your preferred candidate?
Steven Denny - 72%
Larry Doss (Incumbent) - 28%
If you voted in the March 3 primary election, who did you vote for in the race for U.S. House District 13?
Ronny Jackson - 35%
Vance Snider - 21%
Josh Winegarner - 17%
Various candidates - 12%
I did not vote - 14%
If your preferred candidate for U.S. House does not win the Republican runoff, will you vote for whoever the Republican nominee is in November?
Yes, I will vote for the Republican nominee regardless of the party nominates. - 59%
No, I will only vote for the Republican candidate I am supporting in the runoff. - 17%
Unsure - 24%
Regardless of whether you plan to attend the 2020 Texas Republican Convention in Houston, who would you rather see the lead the Republican Party as Chairman?
Allen West - 52%
James Dickey - 10%
Unsure - 38%
FOR DEMOCRATS
Did you vote in the Democratic Party's primary election on March 3?
Yes, I voted - 100%
Will you be voting in the July 14 Democratic runoff election?
Yes, I voted - 100%
In the race for U.S. House District 13, who is your preferred candidate?
Gus Trujillo - 50%
Greg Sagan - 50%
In the race for U.S. Senate, who is your preferred candidate?
Mary “MJ” Hegar - 100%
In the race for Railroad Commissioner, who is your preferred candidate?'
Chrysta Castaneda - 50%
Roberto "Beto" Alonzo - 50%
If your preferred candidate for U.S. House does not win the Democratic runoff, will you vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is in November?
Yes, I will vote for the Democratic nominee regardless of the party nominates. - 50%
Unsure - 50%
FOR ALL RESPONDENTS
Please mark which elected officials you currently believe are doing a good job in office. (Select all that are applicable).
President Donald Trump - 79%
Senator Ted Cruz - 71%
Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller - 42%
Attorney General Ken Paxton - 40%
State Rep. Four Price - 40%
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick - 34%
Randall County Judge Ernie Houdashell - 34%
Land Commissioner George P. Bush - 32%
U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry - 24%
Governor Greg Abbott - 24%
State Rep. John Smithee - 24%
Randall County Commissioners - 24%
Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner - 18%
Amarillo ISD Trustees - 18%
U.S. Senator John Cornyn - 16%
Potter County Commissioners - 15%
State Sen. Kel Seliger - 15%
State Rep. Ken King - 11%
City Councilwoman Freda Powell - 11%
City Councilman Eddy Sauer - 11%
Mayor Ginger Nelson - 8%
City Councilwoman Elaine Hays - 5%
City Councilman Howard Smith - 3%
Do you support Governor Abbott's order requiring citizens to wear face coverings in all public places with limited exceptions in response to COVID-19?
Yes, I support Governor Abbott's order. - 11%
No, I do not support Governor Abbott's order. - 86%
Not Sure - 3%
How would you rate the state and local government response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Excellent - 3%
Fair - 34%
Poor - 32%
Very Poor - 26%
Unsure - 5%
How long do you think it will take the Amarillo economy to fully recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic?
More than 6 months - 76%
Less than 6 months - 24%
In your opinion, what is the biggest issue facing Amarillo today?
Transparency Issues - 32%
Tax and Budget Issues - 26%
Job Creation - 11%
COVID-19 - 8%
Water Conservation - 3%
Public Safety - 3%
Economic Recovery from COVID-19 - 3%
Unsure - 5%
Scattered write-ins - 12%
Do you plan to vote in the November 2020 general election?
Yes - 100%
If you plan to vote or are considering voting in November, who will you support for President?
Donald Trump (R) - 82%
Joe Biden (D) - 8%
Jo Jorgensen (L) - 8%
Unsure - 3%
If you plan to vote or are considering voting in November, who will you support for U.S. Senate?
John Cornyn (R) - 47%
Royce West or MJ Hegar (D) - 5%
Kerry McKennon or Wes Benedict (L) - 21%
I will not be voting in this race/I will not vote in November - 2%
Unsure - 25%
If you plan to vote or are considering voting in November, who will you support for U.S. House District 13?
Ronny Jackson or Josh Winegarner (R) - 76%
Greg Sagan or Gus Trujillo (D) - 5%
Jack B. Westbrook (L) - 11%
I will not be voting in this race/I will not vote in November - 2%
I do not live in U.S. House District 13 - 5%
Looking ahead, regardless of whether the election takes place in November 2020 or May 2021, will you vote for the Amarillo Civic Center bond issue to fund the proposed $319 million renovation project downtown?
I will vote FOR the Civic Center bond - 11%
I will vote AGAINST the Civic Center bond - 61%
I will not vote in this election - 16%
Unsure - 13%
Looking ahead, if the 2021 election for Mayor of Amarillo were held today, who you support?
Ginger Nelson (Incumbent) - 8%
Generic Challenger - 55%
Unsure - 11%
I will not be eligible to vote in this election/I do not live in Amarillo - 13%
Scattered write-ins - 13%