Recap of 2025 local elections

The May 2025 Amarillo city elections delivered a decisive outcome for several candidates, including Mayor Cole Stanley, Councilmember Les Simpson, and newcomer Tim Reid, who were all returned to office amidst a backdrop of intense campaign spending and a series of notable victories. 

A Resounding Victory for Mayor Cole Stanley

In the most anticipated race of the election, Mayor Cole Stanley secured re-election with a commanding 58.7% of the vote, receiving 9,801 votes compared to his challenger Jason Herrick’s 6,123 votes (36.6%). Misty Collier and Luke Johnson Marek rounded out the field with just 3.4% and 1.3%, respectively.

Stanley celebrated his victory by framing the campaign as a battle between power and control, emphasizing the importance of restoring the power of the voters. “This all comes down to power and control. Our goal is to restore the power and the voice to the voter,” he said. He highlighted his commitment to transparency and action, pledging to continue delivering on his promises during his next term.

Herrick, though not victorious, expressed pride in his campaign’s focus on raising important issues, including ethical leadership and public trust. He also pointed out the exorbitant campaign spending, noting that his own campaign received over $558,000 in contributions, while Stanley raised over $200,000. The combined PAC spending, notably from the Save Amarillo PAC, added another $330,000 to Stanley’s war chest, making this the highest-spending election in Amarillo’s history.

Despite the substantial sums involved, voter turnout in 2025 was down by nearly 21% compared to 2023, with only 16,710 voters casting ballots—another sign of growing concerns about the role of money in local elections.

Tim Reid’s Surprise Victory in Council Place 1

Tim Reid’s victory in Amarillo City Council Place 1 was one of the most talked-about results of the election. The newcomer triumphed with 9,885 votes (60.9%) against Patrick Miller, who earned 5,189 votes (32%). Sherie Wood and Wendy Flores received 591 votes (3.6%) and 555 votes (3.4%), respectively.

Reid's win was particularly remarkable for his decision to reject political action committee (PAC) money, running a low-budget campaign funded mostly out of his own pocket. “We literally ran it from our dining room table,” Reid said, emphasizing his belief that a candidate could win in Amarillo without the influence of big money. Reid promised to serve transparently, ensuring his door would always be open to constituents.

On the other hand, Miller focused his campaign on integrity and accountability, stressing the importance of listening to the community. While conceding defeat, he also raised concerns about the growing role of money in local politics. "This was one of the lowest-cost races in what’s now the highest-spending election in Amarillo’s history," Miller noted, underscoring the need for a reevaluation of campaign finance in future elections.

Les Simpson’s Resounding Re-election in Place 4

In one of the most decisive victories of the night, incumbent Les Simpson held on to his seat in Amarillo City Council Place 4 with an overwhelming 68.9% of the vote, receiving 10,981 votes. His opponents, Leif Kertis and Sylvia Elaine Stephens, garnered 3,194 votes (20%) and 1,757 votes (11%), respectively. This victory was particularly notable given Simpson’s narrow defeat in a 2023 runoff, marking a significant shift in his political fortunes.

Simpson’s decisive win came despite some speculation that his public support for David Prescott in the Place 3 race could hurt his chances. Simpson was the only sitting councilmember to back a challenger over a colleague, but the voters’ response seemed to signal that they valued Simpson’s independent approach to leadership. "I’ve always believed in voting based on what you think is best for the city — not just sticking with someone because of a title," Simpson said in his victory speech.

Simpson also expressed concerns about the role of PACs in local elections, noting that such groups have an outsized influence over how candidates are portrayed. “We need five independent thinkers, not a slate supported by one or two donors,” he argued.

A Tight Race for Council Place 3: Scherlen and Prescott Head to Runoff

The only race that did not see a definitive outcome was for City Council Place 3, where incumbent Tom Scherlen and challenger David Prescott will head to a runoff in June. Scherlen received 7,748 votes (47.4%), while Prescott trailed closely with 7,433 votes (45.5%), a margin of just 315 votes. Nune Perez earned 1,157 votes (7.1%).

Both candidates reflected on the competitive nature of the race, with Scherlen focusing on energizing voter turnout ahead of the runoff and Prescott touting his grassroots efforts. Prescott’s campaign emphasized transparency and engagement, with a commitment to listening to the community’s concerns. As the two candidates prepare for a June runoff, Scherlen pledged to work hard to connect with voters, particularly those who may have supported his opponent.

Unopposed Candidates and Other Election Results

In other races, Don Tipps was re-elected unopposed to City Council Place 2, receiving 13,960 votes. For the Amarillo ISD Board of Trustees, the top four candidates—Don Powell, Tom Warren II, David Nance, and Doyle Corder—won their respective seats.

Meanwhile, the Amarillo College Board of Regents saw the re-election of Paul Proffer, David Woodburn, and Johnny Mize, with Mary Bralley narrowly missing a seat, finishing just six votes behind Mize.

In Canyon, voters approved a $14 million public safety bond with 471 votes in favor and 402 votes against. Canyon Mayor Gary Hinders hailed the passage of the bond as a crucial step in preparing the city for future growth while maintaining excellent services from the police and fire departments.

Looking Ahead

With the official canvassing of the election results scheduled for May 13, the 2025 Amarillo elections have set the stage for important conversations around transparency, campaign finance, and the role of PACs in local politics. As candidates prepare for the June runoff, voters can expect a continued focus on issues that directly affect the community, from public safety to ethical leadership.

The message from this election is clear: voters are paying close attention, and they want leaders who will listen, engage, and deliver results without being swayed by big money or outside interests. With voter turnout slightly declining this cycle, the challenge for candidates in future elections will be to reignite public interest and participation in Amarillo’s local politics.