Name: Les Simpson
Office Sought: Amarillo City Council Place 4
What is your age? 60
What is your educational background? Please list any degrees or certificates earned and any institutions attended.
University of Georgia, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
What is your occupation?
Business Owner
Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.
Amarillo City Council, Place 4
United Way of Amarillo and Canyon, Campaign Co-Chair
Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, Founding Board Member
Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
Downtown Amarillo Inc., Founding Board President
City of Amarillo Local Government Corporation, Board of Directors
West Texas A&M University Foundation, Board of Directors
Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, Executive Director Search Committee
Downtown Amarillo Blue Ribbon Committee, Secretary/Treasurer
Amarillo Police Department Citizens Academy
Amarillo Fire Department Citizens Academy
Business Networking International
Boy Scouts of America, Fundraising Luncheon Chair
Young Life of Amarillo, Committee Chair
Amarillo Executive Association
Amarillo Club, Board of Directors
Tascosa High School Excellence Council, Co-Chair
Have you previously held or do you currently hold any elected office? If so, what office(s)?
Amarillo City Council Place 4
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.
https://www.lessimpson.com/
Why did you decide to run for this office in 2025?
I want to continue the work started by the current city council. The city needs to continue progress in improvements to attract and retain first responders and provide them the necessary equipment to do their job. The current leadership also has developed long term plans to address the needs of flooding problems, aging water and sewer lines and road improvements by issuing smart amounts of debt annually for these long-term investments.
If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
Public Safety: Crime was down 12.5 percent in 2024. We provided the largest pay increase in history to attract and retain first responders and invested in new crime-fighting equipment and technology. This investment needs to continue.
Infrastructure: The city has invested $47 million in flood prevention; $70 million to expand water and sewer services and is completing more than $30 million on road projects OK'd in 2016.
Finances: Council members must be above reproach with taxpayer money. It's important to wisely invest tax money to get the most for the citizens, especially when it comes to the core services provided by the city.
What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
Our form of government is manager/council, which means the council has limited powers and serves as a "board of directors" which guides the city manager, who runs the day-to-day of the city. The most important job of a council is to make sure the right person is in the role of city manager. We have an excellent city manager and it's very important the council listens to his advice and allows him to run the city operations.
What is your position on the issue of taxpayer-funded lobbying? Please explain.
As long as it remains legal, the city should take advantage of lobbying when necessary. The city doesn't need to handicap itself by not using tools available to cities who may be competing with us. I have no problem if the state or federal government enacts laws eliminating taxpayer-funded lobbying. In the meantime, it's important everyone competes on a level playing field.
Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
There is no substitute for experience when it comes to serving on City Council. My first term has prepared me to continue to serve.