As all three incumbent Amarillo legislators prepare for challenges in 2018, the Amarillo Pioneer has begun combing through ethics filings by the legislators to bring you more background on who owns what.
Beginning with Senator Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo), the senator is facing a primary challenge from two opponents who have been called "formidable" by the Texas Tribune. Seliger is running against Amarillo restaurant owner and former Muleshoe mayor Victor Leal and Midland attorney and former mayor Mike Canon. Canon has signed up for a repeat appearance on the ballot against Seliger in 2018, after falling slightly short of ousting Seliger in 2014.
According to filings with the Texas Ethics Commission, Seliger and his wife, Nancy, own several properties and interests in multiple businesses. As of January of this year, Seliger reported owning three properties: a home in Amarillo (valued at $426,571), a condo in Austin (valued at $316,661) and a residence in Pebble Beach, California (valued at $1,137,063).
For his company ownership, Seliger has stake in multiple companies, including companies which are regulated by the Texas legislature. Seliger owns interest in FrogAir LLC and owns between 5,000 and 9,999 shares in: Abbott Labs, Barnes Group, EMC, GE, Glacier Bancorp and Trimble. Seliger also owns over 10,000 shares in Commercial Metals, Nuance Communications and Pier One. In addition, Seliger has small ownership in several other companies and corporations.
For Representative Four Price (R-Amarillo), the four-term incumbent is facing a challenge from Fritch city manager Drew Brassfield.
Price holds small ownership in multiple corporations dealing in several industries. Price also holds interest in multiple mutual funds. In real property, Price owns stake in at least two pieces of property: a home in Amarillo (valued at $560,808) and a lot in Carbondale, Colorado ($110,000). Price's wife also reports holding interest in a nearly $1,000,000 piece of property in Carbondale, Colorado (valued at $989,000).
Finally, long-time State Representative John Smithee (R-Amarillo) is facing a challenge from retired teacher and Democrat Mike Purcell. Purcell is a former Texas Democratic Executive Committeeman.
Smithee owns stake in at least ten commercial properties in Amarillo (valued at $2,156,726). Smithee also owns a home in Amarillo (valued at $421,464) and several mineral interests.
In recent financial reports available online, Smithee reports sources of income from his law practice and from several businesses. Those businesses in which Smithee received income include: Toot 'n Totum, R-T Investments, Le Norman Operation LLC, Amarillo National Bank and Alien City Wholesale. Smithee also owns natural gas leases and shares in Smithee Properties.
For his company ownerships, Smithee owns stake in at least two companies that do business with local governmental entities. Smithee owns shares in Xcel Energy and Bank of America, both of which do business with the City of Amarillo. Smithee also holds ownership in Conoco Phillips, Chevron, Gamco Global Gold Nat Res, the Amarillo Club, Century Link, AT&T, Chimera Investment Corp, Verizon Communications and Frontier Communications. All of the ownerships were reported in filings dating back to at least 2011.
