The following are the complete and unedited responses submitted by the candidate listed below to the Amarillo Pioneer’s Candidate Questionnaire.
Thomas Warren III/Photo by Creative Cannon
Name: Thomas Warren III
Office Sought: Potter County Tax Assessor-Collector
Party Affiliation: Republican
Age: 25
Educational Background:
J.D. in progress -- St. Mary's University School of Law
M.A., Communication -- Eastern New Mexico University, 2023
B.A., Public Administration -- West Texas A&M University, 2021
A.S., Social Science -- Amarillo College, 2018
Occupation: Media Executive/Editor
If you are a business owner, please list the business or businesses that you own.
Co-founder, Amarillo Pioneer Media
Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, religious, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.
Current:
Potter County Appraisal District Board of Directors
Amarillo Hospital District Board of Managers
Amarillo Historical Museum Board of Directors
Former:
State Republican Executive Committee (2022-2023)
Amarillo Traffic Advisory Board (2021-2024)
Potter County Republican Party Executive Committee (2022-2023)
Amarillo Public Library Advisory Board (2017-2019)
West Texas A&M University Core Curriculum Committee (2019)
Young Conservatives of Texas at WTAMU Executive Committee (2020)
Have you previously held or do you currently hold any elected office? If so, what office(s)?
Former State Republican Executive Committeeman, Senate District 31
Former Precinct Chair, Precinct 123
If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.
www.warrenforpotter.com
Why did you decide to run for this office in 2024?
In 2024, the position of Potter County Tax Assessor-Collector is an open seat. Voters will have the opportunity to elect someone with a fresh perspective for the first time in many years. And I believe I am the only candidate in this race who can bring a unique and new perspective to the way this office operates.
If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
My priorities are simple:
Efficiency -- I will run an efficient office that is focused on delivering for the taxpayers of Potter County. As your Tax Assessor-Collector, I will work hard to reduce wait times, recruit and retain qualified staff members, and seek ways to use technology to innovate the office's operations.
Integrity -- From election integrity to integrity in leadership, I will be a steadfast and consistent leader for Potter County. We will ensure that taxpayers in Potter County feel that they have an open door to their Tax Assessor-Collector and that they can trust every move our office makes.
Advocacy -- As your Tax Assessor-Collector, I will advocate for the taxpayers of Potter County each and every day. I will work with lawmakers to advocate for comprehensive appraisal reform and to reduce the overall burden on local taxpayers.
What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
One of my biggest priorities — and one that has gone overlooked for years — is improving the customer service of this office and making it easier for taxpayers to do business with Potter County. This means bringing this office into the 21st century by adopting policies and technological advances that numerous other counties across Texas have already taken up to ease the burden on taxpayers. I have pledged to seek options to allow taxpayers to schedule appointments online to pay their tax bills and renew vehicle registrations, as well as to allow taxpayers to check wait times online.
Do you have any notable endorsements you would like to highlight for voters?
I am proud to be endorsed by the following:
U.S. Congressman Ronny Jackson
State Rep. Carl Tepper
Former State Sen. Don Huffines
State Board of Education Member Aaron Kinsey
County Commissioner Tam Boatler
City Councilman Tom Scherlen
Former City Councilman Randy Burkett
Former City Commissioner Daniel Martinez
Constable Georgia Estrada
Constable Darryl Wertz
Fairly Group President Alex Fairly
Odessa Mayor Javier Joven
Former Republican Party of Texas Vice Chair Alma Perez-Jackson
Potter County GOP Chairman Dan Rogers
Randall County GOP Chairman Kelly Giles
6 members of the State Republican Executive Committee
7 members of the Potter County Republican Executive Committee
Conservative Patriots 4 Texas
Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
I am the only candidate in this race who has experience running a small business and a non-profit organization. Having owned and operated my own business since the age of 17, I have learned valuable lessons from experience about stretching a dollar and making every dollar count. These lessons will be invaluable when it comes to wisely managing the office’s budget.
I am the only candidate in this race with a formal education background in government administration.
I am the only candidate in this race who will have hands-on experience with our appraisal district board when I take office.
I am the only candidate in this race who has existing relationships with our lawmakers and legislators that I will use to advocate for property tax relief and appraisal reform.
I am the only candidate in this race who has a record of ever opposing any property tax increases. I am also the only candidate for Tax Assessor-Collector who has a record of defeating over $1 billion in bonds and property tax increases.
I am the only candidate in this race with a voting record of advocating for Texas taxpayers and property tax relief as a member of the State Republican Executive Committee.
I am the only candidate in this race who can bring an outsider's perspective to this office with a focus on making it easier for taxpayers to do business with the tax office. As your tax assessor, I plan to explore innovative options for taxpayers, like allowing customers to schedule appointments online and check wait times on the tax office’s website. In addition, I would like to explore options for prioritizing services for active duty military and veterans by creating a veterans' services desk, which can help assist active duty and retired military service members with tax inquiries and specialty/disabled veteran license plate requests.
I am proud to be the only candidate in this race who is supported by nearly the entire Potter County Republican Executive Committee, numerous lawmakers from West Texas, and several local elected officials. I am also incredibly honored to have the endorsement of our Congressman, Ronny Jackson.
As your candidate for Tax Assessor-Collector, I am proud to say that I am the most qualified candidate for this position. I will not be afraid to roll up my sleeves on my first day in office and draw on the lessons learned from my education and experience to get the job done for Potter County taxpayers. I will work to develop great relationships with the employees of this office and focus on ensuring that our taxpayers get the most bang for their buck out of every dollar spent. And most importantly, I will deliver real results for this office's most important stakeholders: the taxpayers.
For these reasons, I am humbly asking for your vote on March 5th.