A new batch of candidate applications have been approved by the City of Amarillo. As of February 10th, the following candidates have approved applications:
Mayor
Councilwoman Place 2 Freda Powell
Truck driver Tonya C. Winston
Former teacher Jeffery McGunegle
Truck driver Sam Burnett
Place 1
Heal the City chaplain Margie Gonzales
Retired businessman Ray White
Claims analyst Kelsey Richardson
Firefighter Josh Craft
Amazon worker Sherie Wood (Wood had initially filed to run for Place 3 before moving to Place 2 and finally moving to Place 1)
Place 2
Insurance agent Don Tipps
Commercial teller Gabriel McHenry-Herrera
Place 3
Retired businessman Tom Scherlen
Former assistant to Mayor Nelson Katt Massey
Place 4
Marine veteran Hobert “Gunny” Brown
Former Amarillo Globe News publisher Les Simpson
In addition to candidates with approved applications, Don Collins has submitted an application which is currently pending. Councilman Place 1 Cole Stanley has hinted he may also file to run for mayor and is expected to make an announcement next week. (All incumbents other than Powell and Stanley have already indicated they will not be seeking city office in May.) Retired FBI agent Tim Reid has also been considering a run for the office but has yet to make any official announcements. Daniel Johnson, who has indicated he plans to run, has not yet filed nor submitted a treasurer’s appointment. According to the city, no other candidates other than those who have filed have filed treasurer’s appointments.
According to the Amarillo Pioneer’s research team, the races for Mayor and Place 1 could soon set records.
The most crowded field for Mayor of Amarillo was in 2011, which saw 11 candidates on the ballot. While we are still a ways away from reaching that number, 2023 will at least tie 2005 and 1939 as having the second most crowed field for mayor if the application from Don Collins is accepted.
In the race for Place 1, the current record for the most crowded field is 1949, where 6 candidates ran. With the race currently at 5 candidates, 2023 is already tied with 1967 and 1969 for the most crowded Place 1 field.
The deadline for candidates to file for a place on the ballot is February 17th at 5:00 pm. Election Day is May 6th.