Below are the unedited responses from Ayvrie Dixon to the Amarillo Pioneer’s candidate questionnaire for 2020. Dixon is running in the March 3, 2020 Republican primary for Potter County Commissioner, Precinct 1. Dixon is challenging incumbent H.R. Kelly in her primary.

Please note: Questions from the Pioneer are in italics and the candidate’s responses are in standard type.

What is your occupation?

Owner of Bargain Bail Bonds and Dixon Firearms Training

What is your age?

40

What is your educational background? Please list any degrees earned, and institutions attended. You may also list any professional certifications.

Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2001, degree in Agriculture Journalism. Certified instructor for the NRA, the USCCA, the State of Texas.

Is this your first time running for office? If not, please list which offices you have sought or held in the past.

No.

If you have a website, Facebook, Twitter, or any other online campaign materials, please list the links below.

Facebook@electAyvrieDixon

Why did you decide to run for office in 2020?

It's time for a new face and fresh ideas to help Potter County move forward in addressing issues regarding criminal justice, county debt, and taxes. I am that new face!

What are your top three priorities, if elected?

My top three priorities are making citizens safer through criminal justice enforcement, reducing the county's debt without raising taxes, and controlling the property tax/appraisal process.

Do you support the Potter County Commission's recent vote to build a new district courts building at a projected cost of $54 million using certificates of obligation to secure funding? Please explain.

I support the need for the new building, but I believe it should have been taken to a vote through the general election because of the large cost of the project.

In your view, what should a Commissioner's role be in advocating for his or her district on the Commissioner's Court? Please explain.

Commissioners should advocate for their precinct because those residents elected the commissioner to be their voice. If resources need to be used to help the precinct as a whole, or if committees need to be formed (such as the Barrio and San Jacinto plan) to affect change in the precinct, then the commissioner should assist in helping that happen.

Do you plan to host any town hall meetings in your precinct during your term, if elected? Please explain.

Yes. A large part of my advocacy is to educate and inform citizens. Citizens who are involved are better neighbors, report crime more often, and participate in events happening around their area.

In what cases would you support raising taxes or fees? Please explain.

Unfunded federal and state mandates or emergencies.

Do you consider adopting a tax rate that is over the "effective" or "no-new-revenue" tax rate to be a tax increase? Please explain.

Yes. If it raises new revenue then it is an increase.

How will you work to ensure constituents can actively communicate with you about the issues, if elected?

I will maintain an active social media presence, hold precinct town hall meetings, and I have a business line that is publicly published that anyone can contact me at.

Are you supported by any political action committees? If so, please list your PAC endorsements.

No.

Why are you the best candidate for voters to support in Potter County?

I am the best candidate because I am an outsider to the system. I am blessed to work with many Potter County offices, and my clients rely on their resources, so this gives me a unique perspective into what works well and what needs to be fixed.