Haynes speaking at The Amarillo Pioneer Forum/Photo by Noah Dawson
During The Amarillo Pioneer’s 2024 Primary Election forum, State House District 86 candidate Jamie Haynes was asked about her past affiliation with Amarillo Matters, a group which has earned the ire of many local conservatives. Below is a transcription of the answer given by Haynes:
“Okay, first of all, I am a conservative and when I started paying attention to Texas politics, which I really did not a lot, I always voted of course conservatively, always voted Republican, but I wanted to learn. I am a big believer in learning everything I possibly could and I heard about this group in town that was trying to make Amarillo a better place and I understood that they were going to get really involved in school elections and so that really interested me I wanted to learn more. These were Community businessmen, leaders that I had known. The main gentleman that was in charge was previously my Sunday school teacher. And so I said absolutely I want to get in this group and so I did. I joined, they asked me I said yes and I was in for about 11 months I realized about that time that there were other things calling me and that was everything that was going on with the Republican party and these coalitions I felt very led to devote more of my time to that. It was very consuming trying to travel back and down back and forth to Austin until I left that group. I said thank you guys so much I just feel led over here. Did we agree on everything? We did not. Did I voice my opinion a lot? I did not. I was just sitting there kind of listening, learning. It was very interesting. It was a good experience. I don't regret it. a lot of those men and there were a couple of women that came and went are our Leaders in our community and do a lot of great things for our community. So, I don't want to downplay that group or be negative towards that group in any way. If I were to do it all over again I would still join them. I learned and but I feel led to do, to spend my time in different areas. To focus on children, focus on Texas.”
Haynes is challenging incumbent John Smithee for the Republican Party nomination. During the forum, we also asked Smithee to respond to those who have said he has been in office for too long. You can read his answer here.
Early voting is February 20th through March 1st. Primary Election Day is March 5th.