Decision time in Amarillo City Council Place 3 runoff: A critical choice for the city’s future

Amarillo voters are gearing up to return to the polls on June 7 to decide the outcome of the highly competitive race for City Council Place 3. Following the May 3 general election, neither incumbent Tom Scherlen nor challenger David Prescott secured the majority vote necessary to claim victory outright, leading to a runoff election. Scherlen captured 47.4% of the vote, narrowly edging Prescott, who earned 45.5%. With less than three percentage points separating them, the runoff promises an intense, closely watched battle.

Understanding the Runoff Election Process

A runoff election is triggered when no candidate reaches the required majority threshold—in Amarillo’s case, more than 50% of the vote—to win outright. This procedure ensures that the eventual winner has the support of a majority of voters. Although runoff elections often experience lower turnout compared to general elections, their impact on local governance can be profound, often decided by just a few hundred votes.

The upcoming runoff in Place 3 will provide voters a more focused choice, pitting only the top two candidates against one another and forcing a clearer decision about who will represent Amarillo’s residents.

Profiles in Leadership: Tom Scherlen and David Prescott

Tom Scherlen, the incumbent, has roots deeply embedded in Amarillo’s business and civic communities. With decades of experience leading Austin Hose, a national distributor of industrial hoses and fittings, Scherlen brings a private sector perspective to city governance. His leadership is characterized by conservative fiscal management, an emphasis on direct community engagement, and efforts to streamline city bureaucracy.

As President of the Amarillo Senior Citizens Association and a member of various civic boards, Scherlen maintains regular bi-weekly town halls to stay connected with constituents and foster transparent communication. His priorities revolve around citizen representation, infrastructure repair, particularly roads, and reducing red tape that he believes hampers economic growth.

Scherlen’s philosophy of “government getting out of the way” reflects his belief that Amarillo should adopt a more business-friendly environment to attract investment and entrepreneurs. Additionally, he is a vocal supporter of properly funding public safety services such as the police and fire departments.

However, Scherlen’s tenure hasn’t been without questions. Past public disagreements with fellow council members and rumors surrounding his health-related absences have led to scrutiny. Scherlen argues his health is great and a non-issue. He firmly rejected suggestions that he might step down mid-term, reaffirming his commitment to finishing the job he began.

David Prescott enters the runoff as a challenger with a background spanning science, business leadership, and public service. Holding advanced degrees in Environmental Science and Business, with a current Ph.D. pursuit in Agricultural Sciences, Prescott frames himself as a candidate bringing professional expertise and long-term vision to Amarillo’s city council.

As founder and president of Talon/LPE, an environmental services company operating regionally, Prescott emphasizes responsible growth grounded in sustainability. His platform highlights strengthening Amarillo’s workforce, investing in infrastructure with a long-range perspective, and promoting transparency and ethical governance.

Prescott’s appointment in 2023 by Governor Greg Abbott as Chair of the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists adds to his credentials as a leader capable of navigating regulatory and technical challenges. His campaign underscores the importance of experience and strategic planning to tackle Amarillo’s aging infrastructure, including wastewater systems that could require billions in investment.

Despite his qualifications, Prescott faces criticism for gaps in his civic participation, specifically missing votes in the 2021 and 2023 municipal elections. This has raised questions among voters about his consistency in local engagement.

Campaign Financing and Outside Influence

This runoff has become one of the most expensive in Amarillo’s history, fueled by substantial fundraising and expenditures from both candidates and influential political action committees (PACs).

Prescott has reported raising over $144,000 from 55 donors, emphasizing that his fundraising reflects a widespread community concern about infrastructure challenges. He has defended his campaign against claims of misrepresentations and has questioned Scherlen’s reliance on significant personal loans and a Florida-based political consulting firm, suggesting that such outside influences may not align with Amarillo’s interests.

Scherlen, in turn, has invested heavily in his campaign, drawing on personal loans totaling about $150,000. He stresses the importance of continuity and fiscal responsibility, rejecting claims that his campaign tactics have been misleading. Scherlen also questions the influence of large donors supporting Prescott, highlighting the role of prominent local families.

Three PACs have played significant roles: Save Amarillo PAC, backing Scherlen with major contributions from Alex Fairly; Growing Amarillo Jobs PAC, supporting Prescott; and the Amarillo Association of REALTORS PAC, which has contributed to Prescott’s campaign. The involvement of these groups has added layers of complexity and spending to the race.

Key Issues Shaping Voter Decisions

The Place 3 runoff is about more than personality or party—it reflects fundamental questions about Amarillo’s future:

Infrastructure: Both candidates agree that the city’s infrastructure requires urgent attention, but their approaches differ. Scherlen advocates for pragmatic, conservative budgeting and cutting bureaucratic barriers to speed improvements, while Prescott calls for long-term strategic investment and professional management of projects.

Fiscal Responsibility: Managing budgets without raising taxes remains a cornerstone of Scherlen’s pitch. Prescott focuses on the need for sustained funding and expertise to handle complex infrastructure challenges.

Public Safety and Community Engagement: Both candidates underscore support for police and fire departments but have different styles of community involvement. Scherlen favors frequent town halls and grassroots outreach; Prescott leans on his experience managing larger organizations and boards.

Transparency and Ethics: Prescott’s campaign highlights the importance of ethical governance and transparency, critical to regaining public trust amid growing concerns about city management. Scherlen counters by defending his record as open and accountable, accusing his opponent of negative rhetoric that could harm Amarillo’s reputation.

The Stakes: Why This Election Matters

Local governance directly impacts citizens’ daily lives—from the quality of roads and public safety to economic development and utility rates. This runoff election will set the tone for Amarillo’s leadership amid rapid growth and mounting challenges.

With Amarillo’s population expanding and infrastructure aging, the decisions made by the next councilmember will influence how effectively the city navigates growth, manages taxpayer dollars, and maintains quality of life.

Encouraging Civic Participation

Runoff elections often suffer from voter fatigue and lower turnout, but the margins are tight enough that every vote carries immense weight. 

The early voting window opens May 27 and runs through June 3, offering Amarillo residents multiple opportunities to cast their ballots ahead of the runoff on June 7, when polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Conclusion: A City at a Crossroads

As Amarillo heads into the runoff election for City Council Place 3, voters face a consequential choice between continuing with experienced local leadership focused on conservative fiscal management or shifting to a candidate promising professional, long-term strategic governance.

Both Tom Scherlen and David Prescott bring unique strengths and distinct visions for Amarillo’s future. With key issues like infrastructure funding, economic development, and public trust hanging in the balance, the next six weeks will be pivotal.

The stakes are high, and the outcome will shape Amarillo’s path forward for years to come.