Smithee speaking at The Amarillo Pioneer Forum/Photo by Noah Dawson
During The Amarillo Pioneer’s 2024 Primary Election forum, incumbent State House District 86 candidate John Smithee was asked to respond to criticisms that he had been in office too long. (Smithee first took office in 1985.) Below is a transcription of the answer given by Smithee:
“I've been in office for a long time, but one thing we've realized is that to make an impact in Austin, our best friend in the Panhandle is seniority. We've been very fortunate we've had some senior members who have who have stayed, and that's why it's important for us to have seniority. I think what seniority, the main thing that gets me, I can choose any Committee in the house that I want to be on. And, last few sessions, I've chosen state affairs which most of the high-profile legislation comes through that committee. It's one of the hardest committees to get on, but I can get on that committee just by asking for it because of my seniority. My seniority has also allowed me to build relationships with the other members. I get along with every Republican member in the Texas House. Very few people can say that. Four Price could say it and I can say it. We get along with everybody. And we know that there's nothing… I can't do anything for this community unless I get 75 other house members to go along with me. Nothing. I can't do anything. I can't get any funding. I can't pass any bill that will benefit this community unless I can get at least 75 other house members to help me, and usually the speaker. And so I have to have a good relationship with committee chairman, chairwomen, and also with the speaker to get anything done for this community. So, you look at what we've been able to accomplish for this area with basically as I said two and a half members, it's pretty impressive. Most other areas of the state envy what we've been able to put together for the Panhandle. We do some special things for an area that we really love. And one of the things that I want to do before, not necessarily before my tenure in the legislature’s over, we're going to get that loop around Amarillo completed. You see the machinery out there now, and I'm telling you we're going to get it completed.”
John Smithee is facing challenger Jamie Haynes for the Republican Party nomination. During the forum, we also asked Jamie Haynes to respond to criticism of her involvement with Amarillo Matters. You can read her answer here.
Early voting is February 20th through March 1st. Primary Election Day is March 5th.