It has been said that money talks and former Amarillo Mayor Paul Harpole is making his money talk for one candidate hoping to replace U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon).

According to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Harpole donated $500 to the congressional campaign of Josh Winegarner in November 2019. Harpole was one of a number of well-known contributors who threw funding behind Winegarner ahead of the March 3, 2020 primary.

Harpole served as mayor of Amarillo from 2011 through 2017 and served as mayor throughout most of the rockiest years of debate over downtown redevelopment and the creation of a downtown ballpark. After narrowly winning re-election in 2015 against underfunded challenger Roy McDowell in a year that saw most incumbents turned out of office, Harpole served in what could best be described as a controversial term from 2015 through 2017. Harpole eventually chose to retire and was succeeded by Ginger Nelson.

Winegarner is one of 15 Republicans running to replace Thornberry in 2020. While his fundraising was promising during the most recent cycle, Winegarner still trailed businessman Chris Ekstrom in overall receipts.