Alex Fairly Endorses in City Council & School Board Races

Fairly | Screenshot via Inspire Amarillo

In a video published by Inspire Amarillo, local businessman Alex Fairly has announced his endorsements for several key local races.

Fairly made headlines last year when his lawsuit against the City of Amarillo led to a judge throwing out the city’s attempt to issue tax anticipation notes to fund improvements to the Amarillo Civic Center. Fairly filed the lawsuit shortly after the council approved the notes, calling it a violation of the will of the voters who had recently rejected a similar plan at the ballot box.

For Amarillo City Council Place 1, Fairly endorsed firefighter Josh Craft. “I think he’s meant to be a leader” said Fairly. “I don’t think they come like this that often.” He did speak to the difficulty in making a choice in that race, hinting he feels positive about several other candidates.

For Place 2, he announced his support for insurance agent Don Tipps. “I feel like Don is ready now” said Fairly. “I think Don will be a great partner to Cole [Stanley].” (Fairly had, prior to the video, already indicated his support for Councilman Cole Stanley’s mayoral campaign.)

In Place 3, Fairly stated he endorses retired business executive and conservative activist Tom Scherlen, calling his resume “stellar.” In the Place 3 race, Scherlen is facing former assistant to Mayor Ginger Nelson Katt Massey. Referring to Massey’s experience working for Nelson, Fairly stated “it gives me pause.”

Fairly endorsed former Amarillo Globe-News publisher Les Simpson for Place 4. “I think he has incredible business experience,” said Fairly, though he also alluded to possible differences Simpson may have with others on the council. Speaking on Simpson working with Stanley on the council, Fairly noted “they’ll have times they’ve gotta work things out.”

While the video focused on Fairly’s endorsements for Amarillo City Council, the video description also noted he supports local educator Jason Foglesong and former AC employee Irene Hughes for Amarillo College Board of Regents and real estate agent Connie Brown for Amarillo ISD Board of Trustees.

Fairly wrapped up the video by asking people to not take his endorsements too strongly. “It’s mostly important for you to go vote. If you’re a fan of someone other than [my endorsements], you go vote for those other people,” said Fairly. “I don’t think anyone’s opinion is more important than anyone else’s.”

The endorsements made by Fairly were shortly echoed by Conservative Patriots 4 Texas, who endorsed the same set of candidates, while also signaling support for Jodi Davis, Casey Posey, and Tiffany Rogers in the Canyon ISD election.