U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson and Les Simpson/Photos by U.S. House of Representatives and the Les Simpson Campaign
U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Amarillo) issued his second endorsement in the Amarillo City Council runoff election on Tuesday, backing former newspaper publisher Les Simpson for Amarillo City Council, Place 4.
Jackson issued his endorsement via social media, announcing his support for Simpson’s candidacy for the City Council. In a tweet, Jackson asked his followers to support Simpson for the City Council seat and called him, “a great patriot who will make you PROUD serving on the city council.”
Simpson is currently locked in a runoff election against Claudette Smith for the Place 4 seat on the Amarillo City Council. Simpson held a substantial lead over his three opponents during the May 6 municipal election, but was unable to reach the 50 percent threshold needed to win the election.
The Place 4 race has earned quite a bit of attention so far this election cycle, as both candidates are fairly well-known to voters. Simpson previously worked as the publisher of the Amarillo Globe-News and was a regular fixture at city business meetings during his time at the newspaper. Meanwhile, Smith launched unsuccessful bids for mayor in 2019 and 2021 and is currently making her third bid for city office.
Aside from his endorsement from Jackson, Simpson has also been endorsed by Conservative Patriots 4 Texas, the Amarillo Police Officers Association, the Amarillo Association of Realtors, former Canyon Mayor Quinn Alexander, former Amarillo Mayors Jerry Hodge and Paul Harpole, Amarillo ISD Trustee Jon Mark Beilue, and businessman Alex Fairly.
In addition to Jackson’s endorsement of Simpson, the lawmaker also endorsed firefighter Josh Craft for Amarillo City Council, Place 1. Craft is currently in a runoff against realtor Dean Crump for the vacant seat on the City Council.
Early voting is happening now. Election Day is scheduled for Saturday, June 24.