Tom Warren/Photo by Ideas are Bulletproof Studios (via votetomwarren.com)
By The Amarillo Pioneer Editorial Board
In Potter County, voters will have a say this November on who should lead the county for the next four years. In our editorial board’s opinion, this choice is as clear as any on the ballot this year.
Businessman Tom Warren is clearly the best candidate for Potter County Judge. Warren, who is endorsed by the Potter County Republican Party, Potter County Republican Chairman Dan Rogers, and a bipartisan coalition of local leaders, is the write-in candidate for Potter County Judge. Warren is the only candidate in this race with over two decades of business experience and a consistent record of conservative achievement, having assisted with the campaigns to defeat multiple multi-dollar bond proposals over several election cycles. Warren has pledged to take action on election integrity issues important to many voters in Amarillo and has also pledged to seek ways to reduce the overall tax burden on Potter County taxpayers.
Meanwhile, Warren’s opponent — Nancy Tanner — lost the support of the local Republican Party after actively opposing election integrity efforts in Potter County. Tanner sought the benefits of being listed as a Republican on the ballot but chose to oppose the priorities of that very same party, thus losing the confidence of her stakeholders and former voters. Tanner’s inaction on election integrity has caused Rogers, Potter County Republican Vice Chairman Mike Yazbek, and a majority of the Potter County Republican Executive Committee to endorse against her this November and recommend voters support Warren.
Beyond this issue, Tanner also has a disastrous record on property taxes, having consistently raised taxes and added debt to the backs of local taxpayers. Tanner has also sought numerous debt issuances over her eight years in office, including one $54 million debt issuance for a new county building that was opposed by bipartisan coalitions of local taxpayers due to its incredible impact on the local tax rate. Nevertheless, Tanner backed the debt issuance, and when asked why, she stated very honestly that she chose to go around the taxpayers because she didn’t want to call a bond election.
Tanner — the same person who filed for bankruptcy before taking office — doesn’t mind using taxpayers as her own personal credit card, but she has a problem with letting those same taxpayers have a say on what projects their tax dollars will fund.
It’s wrong. It’s shameful. And it shouldn’t be tolerated for another second.
This November, Potter County voters have the chance to make a big change for the county. We recommend voters back Tom Warren for Potter County Judge and send a businessman to the County Courthouse to stop the spending madness and finally run our county like a business.
We endorse Tom Warren for Potter County Judge. Write in Tom Warren for County Judge on Tuesday, November 8. Early voting begins Monday, October 24.
Please note: A publisher’s committee endorsement does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Amarillo Pioneer’s advertisers or staff. An endorsement of one candidate does not represent a criticism of other candidates running unless otherwise stated. Endorsements may be offered in additional races. Additionally, Tom Warren has not been included in endorsement dilberations this year.