The race for Amarillo’s next mayor is heating up, and Tuesday night’s forum at First Family Church gave voters a front-row seat to where each candidate stands. Incumbent Mayor Cole Stanley, challenger Misty Collier, and businessman Jason Herrick tackled issues like fiscal responsibility, government transparency, infrastructure, and economic development.
Here’s a breakdown of the key points from the forum, including what each candidate had to say and how their priorities compare.
Jason Herrick: Transparency, Accountability, and Infrastructure
Businessman Jason Herrick took a strong stance on government transparency and fiscal responsibility, arguing that Amarillo’s leadership has mismanaged public funds. He was particularly critical of high-dollar settlements and salaries for city officials, calling out excessive spending on the city manager and Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) director.
"We’re paying a city manager nearly a million dollars to not manage, and an AEDC director $300,000 a year to not direct. This isn’t acceptable. We’re wasting resources, and it’s time for a change."
Herrick laid out a three-step plan for his first 120 days if elected:
Improved Communication – Making city leadership more accessible to residents.
Government Transparency – Ending legal loopholes, such as using attorney-client privilege to shield decisions from the public.
Infrastructure Reform – Focusing on basic services like potholes, snow removal, and wastewater treatment.
He also addressed his connection to The RANGE, a nonprofit workforce and community initiative. While he supports its goals, he clarified he is not personally connected to its funding and stressed the need for oversight.
On the AEDC, Herrick took issue with lack of diversity in leadership, arguing that the same group of people have maintained control for too long.
"We cannot have the mayor’s biggest donor as the forever president of AEDC."
Cole Stanley: Defending His Record and Emphasizing Fiscal Responsibility
Incumbent Mayor Cole Stanley spent much of the night defending his administration’s financial decisions and pushing back against Herrick’s criticisms.
"We’ve been able to reprioritize funds and identify $29 million in last year’s budget to make sure our first responders received their raises."
Stanley firmly opposed raising taxes, stating that Amarillo already has more than enough financial reserves.
"We don’t need to raise taxes to address our needs. Our reserves are double what they need to be."
Regarding The RANGE, Stanley agreed that oversight needs to improve but defended the AEDC’s overall work in bringing jobs to Amarillo. However, he acknowledged concerns about public investment in private initiatives, saying,
"The RANGE is a public asset. We need to know how it ended up in private hands. There’s no accountability, and that needs to change."
Stanley also stressed that infrastructure remains a key focus, particularly wastewater treatment—an issue both he and Herrick agreed must be addressed urgently.
"The wastewater treatment plant is a ticking time bomb. If we don’t address it, it will hurt our economy and growth."
Misty Collier: Small Business, Community Focus, and Citizen Empowerment
Candidate Misty Collier took a populist approach, positioning herself as a champion for small businesses and local entrepreneurs rather than big corporations. She criticized the AEDC for prioritizing large businesses over the heart of Amarillo’s economy: small businesses.
"The AEDC spends tax dollars helping big businesses, but small businesses are the backbone of Amarillo’s economy. They need our support, and they’re being left behind."
She was also vocal about previously rejected city projects, such as the Civic Center proposal that voters turned down in 2020.
"The people spoke, and they didn’t want the Civic Center. We should respect that."
Collier called for greater transparency in public spending, urging city leaders to "open the books" on all taxpayer-funded projects, including The RANGE.
Her campaign’s central message? Returning power to the people.
"We are a city founded on freedom, faith, and family—values that date back to 1776. We need to return to those principles and focus on the people who truly make Amarillo great."
Civic Center and Infrastructure: A Critical Issue
The discussion of Amarillo’s Civic Center resurfaced during the forum, with both Herrick and Stanley agreeing that infrastructure should be the city's top priority.
Herrick argued that while the Civic Center might have once been a good idea, the city can no longer afford it. Instead, wastewater treatment and other urgent infrastructure projects must take precedence.
"There was a window in time that the Civic Center might have made sense, but we no longer have that luxury. We have to start addressing our infrastructure needs right now."
Stanley echoed these concerns, stating that failure to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant could put Amarillo at risk of state intervention.
"If we don’t take care of the wastewater treatment plant, the state will shut us down in five years. That means no more jobs, no more growth, and no more opportunity for new homes and industries."
The difference between Herrick and Stanley lies in their approach to fixing the issue—Herrick calls for immediate action, while Stanley reassures voters that plans are already in motion.
Closing Statements: A Vision for Amarillo’s Future
Each candidate wrapped up their arguments with a final appeal to voters.
Herrick promised a transparent and accountable administration that puts people first.
"You deserve a city we can all be proud of. We need leadership that isn’t afraid to make the tough choices, even when they’re unpopular."
Stanley emphasized continuity and progress, urging voters to let him continue his work.
"We’ve made great strides in improving public safety, infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility. I want to keep building on that progress and continue to lead Amarillo toward a brighter future."
Collier reinforced her message of citizen empowerment, focusing on faith, family, and freedom.
"This position exists to give the people freedom and power. We need to return to the basics, to what made America and Amarillo great. I want to focus on the people, not corporate interests or global agendas."
What’s Next?
With early voting set to begin April 22, Amarillo voters will soon decide which candidate best represents their vision for the city. The forum provided a clearer picture of the differences between Herrick, Stanley, and Collier—whether it’s government transparency, fiscal responsibility, or prioritizing small businesses, each candidate is offering a distinct path forward.
