Ernest O. Thompson on a campaign poster/Photo by Amarillo Pioneer Staff
In the lead-up to Saturday’s mayoral election, we will be profiling some of the past leaders of Amarillo who have served as mayor, some of their accomplishments, and their place in Amarillo history.
Ernest O. Thompson was elected mayor of Amarillo in 1928, winning the city over on a platform of cutting utility rates. Thompson, the owner of the Herring Hotel, took immediate action on his campaign promise, forcing the hand of local utility companies and securing rate reductions for local consumers. Thompson would also achieve a reduction in telephone rates, thanks to his lead in a consumer boycott of telephones.
Thompson continued to serve as mayor of Amarillo until he was tapped by Governor Ross Sterling to serve on the Texas Railroad Commission. Thompson served on the Railroad Commission from 1932 until his resignation in 1965. During his time on the Railroad Commission, Thompson led the effort to bring order to the oil production industry and prevented the shuttering of the state agency by both the federal government and the state government.
Riding high on his popularity as a strong voice on the issue of oil production, Thompson ran twice for governor — once in 1938 and again in 1940. Thompson was considered a front-runner for the governorship in 1938, but his candidacy was derailed by the late entry of radio host and businessman W. Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel into the race.
Thompson lost the Democratic primary for governor to O’Daniel in 1938, 51-21%. In his second bid for the governorship in 1940, Thompson again lost to O’Daniel, 54-22%.
Following his resignation from the Railroad Commission, Thompson died in June 1966. The Ernest O. Thompson State Office Building in Austin would be named in his honor. Today, the building houses the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.