After a tightly contested election in early May, Amarillo voters are heading back to the polls to decide who will represent them in Place 3 on the Amarillo City Council. Incumbent Tom Scherlen and challenger David Prescott are set to face off in a runoff election on Saturday, June 7, after neither received the majority vote required to claim victory in the May 3 general election.
The May Numbers
Tom Scherlen: 47.4%
David Prescott: 45.5%
With no candidate receiving the required 50% + 1 vote, the race moves to a runoff—a process that often sees lower voter turnout, but with just as much, if not more, impact on local governance. Voter engagement will be critical as both candidates continue to make their cases in the coming days.
Runoff Election Details
Ballot Order:
David Prescott
Tom Scherlen
Early Voting:
Tuesday, May 27 – Friday, May 30
Monday, June 2 – Tuesday, June 3
Election Day:
Saturday, June 7
Runoff elections can feel quieter than regular elections, but they are no less important. These races often come down to just a few hundred votes, which means each citizen’s participation holds significant weight.
Meet the Candidates
Let’s take a closer look at the two candidates—what they’ve done, what they believe in, and where they hope to take Amarillo.
Tom Scherlen (Incumbent)
Scherlen brings decades of business experience to his role, having served as the CEO of Austin Hose, a national industrial hose and fittings distributor. A graduate of Frank Phillips College and West Texas State University, he has spent his career in Amarillo and is active in various civic organizations.
He currently serves as President of the Amarillo Senior Citizens Association, is a board member of Andrea’s Project, and has long-standing ties with AMBUCS and the 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle. His leadership style emphasizes direct community engagement, including bi-weekly town hall meetings that he says are critical to keeping government accessible and accountable.
Priorities:
Citizen representation
“Conservative” city budgets
Fixing city infrastructure, particularly roads
Cutting bureaucratic red tape
Improving relationships with city staff and departments
Scherlen often returns to a theme of “government should get out of the way”—particularly when it comes to business development and permitting. He believes Amarillo needs a more welcoming approach to outside investment and entrepreneurship.
He’s also a strong proponent of supporting public safety services, including the Amarillo Police and Fire Departments, as essential roles of government that deserve both proper funding and community respect.
“Our permitting and zoning processes need serious work to turn things around,” Scherlen states. “We need to get government out of the way.”
However, Scherlen’s first term wasn’t without controversy. He had public disagreements with fellow councilmember Les Simpson over legal representation and the transparency of certain documents. Despite those tensions, Scherlen remains firm in his belief that internal disagreements are sometimes necessary for public accountability.
Campaign Finances:
Raised: $45,039
Spent: $60,896
Top Donor: Alex Fairly via DealOn LLC ($35,000)
Recently, Scherlen responded to rumors suggesting he might step down if re-elected due to prior absences from council meetings caused by a health issue. He dismissed the claims as “nonsense”, stating that no one campaigns and fundraises just to bow out halfway through a term.
David Prescott (Challenger)
David Prescott comes into the race with a strong background in science, business, and state-level leadership. He holds multiple degrees, including a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Environmental Science, an MBA in Business Leadership, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences from West Texas A&M University.
Prescott is the founder and president of Talon/LPE, an environmental services company headquartered in Amarillo, with a presence across several states. His platform draws heavily on his business experience and his belief that Amarillo is poised for responsible, sustained growth—but only with the right leadership.
Priorities:
Strengthening Amarillo’s workforce and economy
Long-term infrastructure investment
Maintaining strong public safety systems
Promoting transparency and ethics in city government
Prescott has served on a number of community boards including the Amarillo Area Foundation, Boy Scouts of America – Golden Spread Council, the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, and the Amarillo Symphony. In 2023, Governor Greg Abbott appointed him Chair of the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, a role that underscores his scientific and regulatory credibility.
Prescott emphasizes the importance of professional expertise in local governance, even if the council is technically a volunteer body.
“City Council may be unpaid,” he says, “but that doesn’t mean it should come with volunteer-level experience.”
He presents himself as someone who knows how to manage big decisions and long-term projects, suggesting that Amarillo needs strategic leadership to address ongoing challenges in infrastructure and workforce retention.
Campaign Finances:
Raised: $185,547
Spent: $108,101
Top Donors: Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bradley ($28,000)
While his campaign is well-funded, Prescott has faced criticism for his past voting record in city elections. According to public records obtained by High Plains Pundit, he did not vote in the 2021 or 2023 municipal elections—though he did vote in 2019 and 2025. When asked to explain, Prescott did not respond to High Plains Pundit. It’s an issue some voters may weigh heavily, as it touches on civic engagement and consistency.
Why This Race Matters
Local government might not dominate headlines, but it directly shapes daily life—from street repairs to public safety, business permits, utility rates, and long-term city planning. This runoff election is more than just a continuation of May’s race. It’s a chance for Amarillo voters to fine-tune the direction of their city for the next several years.
Each candidate represents a different vision for what city leadership should look like:
Scherlen offers continuity, conservative governance, and a hands-on approach grounded in local concerns.
Prescott proposes professional-level leadership, long-term planning, and broader regional engagement.
In a city growing as quickly as Amarillo, that choice couldn’t be more important.
Final Word: Get Out and Vote
Local elections like this one are often decided by thin margins. A few hundred votes—or fewer—can determine who sets policy for Amarillo over the next term. Whether you're focused on roads, budgets, public safety, or city transparency, this election gives you a direct say.
Early voting begins May 27.
Election Day is June 7.
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