We have asked candidates running for various offices to answer questions for our Voter Guide. While full responses are available here, we are offering you an excerpt in “Candidate Comparisons” ahead of the May 1, 2021 general election.
Each response below came directly from the candidate’s questionnaire and is unedited.
FROM LEFT: Howard Smith, Richard Herman, Sharyn Delgado, Ali Ramos
Photos by Campaigns
Amarillo City Council, Place 4
Ali Ramos
Age: 33 | Occupation: Social Worker and Graphic Designer
Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position in 2020?
I have been entangled in politics since I was born. A disabled friend of mine once told me, “I didn’t choose politics. Politics chose me.” I always check my mail with a twinge of apprehension to see if I receive a letter that day that says I’m denied life sustaining services due to policy changes. Will I continue to get my supplies? My personal care assistant services? My insurance? I’ve had these things cancelled several times, and it always takes several grueling appeals to continue to keep programs that I depend on for survival.
This has given me the ability to adapt to societal pressures and gives me a unique perspective on being a civil servant. I do have to juggle the intricacies of living with a disability and managing my life as an adult who is interdependent with the government to survive. I take pride in showing others how to successfully navigate a system that was not made for people with disabilities as well as continuing to advocate for individuals who are also intertwined with governmental injustices.
Howard Smith (Incumbent)
Age: 78 | Occupation: Realtor
Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position in 2020?
While we have made great strides since I was elected to office 4 years ago, there's still more work to do to ensure Amarillo remains a vibrant, competitive and safe place to live, work and raise a family. I am fully committed to Amarillo, which one look at my resume will convey. It shows my continued dedication to the citizenry of Amarillo.
Richard Herman
Age: 56 | Occupation: Retired US Army, Justice of the Peace, and Business Owner
Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position in 2020?
I believe that my track record of success has proven that I am a man that loves my community and will work harder for them because of my passion for them. I believe that we must improve our community not only for each other but also for the opportunity of future generations because we all want our children and grand children to have greater opportunity.
Sharyn Delgado
Age: 33 | Occupation: Educator and Behavior Intervention Counselor
Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position in 2020?
Not only do I love Amarillo but I love people. And maybe neither of these two things make me qualified to be your city commissioner but I do believe my mental health background and communication skills are assets that would benefit our city. I think the 25 years working in education serving students with special needs in our neighborhoods and with families gives me some insight into the needs of our community. Good communication, conversations with our neighbors, finding our common ground to make our city better is what I think we need. For all of us, to come together for a greater good. Regardless if I am elected or not, I plan to invest in my community to make it better. Why because I love it.