Graphic by The Amarillo Pioneer
As Amarillo prepares to begin a new year, our team has compiled some of the top news stories of the past year:
#6: Amarillo City Council Approves Water Deal for Fermi Data Center
Artificial Intelligence is coming to the Amarillo area in its biggest and most controversial form, with Fermi America inking a deal with Amarillo City Council for 2.5 million gallons of water for its upcoming data center.
The Fermi America has enjoyed support from several local leaders, including former mayor Trent Sisemore and Congressman Ronny Jackson, though several activists on both the left and right, including Michael Ford, who previously served as Mayor Cole Stanley’s campaign treasurer.
#5: Potter County Voters to Pick New Judge & Make Major Decisions in March Primary
Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner has served over a decade in the county’s top job but announced this year she will not seek reelection in 2026.
After weeks of speculation about a potentially heated Republican primary, only one candidate, attorney Michelle Eggleston, ended up filing. Potter County Commissioner John Coffee had publicly floated a potential run but ultimately chose not to file.
Though Eggleston is unopposed in the Republican Primary, she will face mediator Jerri Glover, who is unopposed in the Democratic Primary. Voters will pick between the two in the November general election.
While Eggleston and Glover are unopposed in their races, several other races are being hotly contested.
Statewide, there are hotly contested open races for Attorney General and Comptroller. In addition to one local race with its own segment below, here are the contested local races on the March primary ballot:
Randall County Court at Law No. 1 (five-way open race)
Randall County Clerk (two-way open race)
Potter County Commissioner Precinct 2 (Jeff Raef is challenging incumbent Blair Schaffer)
Potter County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 (three-way open race)
Potter County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 (Alex “AJ” Casias is challenging incumbent Robert J Taylor)
Potter County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 (Zach Harvey is challenging incumbent Gary Jackson)
#4: John Smithee Retiring, Endorses Holly Jeffreys
John Smithee, one of the longest serving members of the Texas State House of Representatives, announced he will not seek another term in 2026.
Smithee’s departure has set the stage for a primary between realtor and activist Jamie Haynes and educator and medical professional Holly Jeffreys. Haynes was defeated by Smithee in the 2024 primary, and Smithee has chosen to endorse Jeffries in the upcoming March primary.
Whoever wins, the Smithee’s retirement from the state house will have a major impact on Amarillo’s delegation to Austin. The other two members, Senator Kevin Sparks and Representative Caroline Fairly, are both relatively new. Both are running unopposed in the Republican primary for a second term in 2026.
John Smithee also earned one more accolade this year in addition to his years of service in the state capitol, as he was named the 2026 Amarillo Pioneer of the Year.
#3: Amarillo College Faces Turmoil
Amarillo College has experienced some major upheavals in 2025. Earlier this year, Amarillo College Board incumbents Paul Proffer, David Woodburn, and Johnny Mize were all reelected, though Mize nearly lost his seat to challenger Mary Bralley. From there, the drama only intensified.
Not long after the AC Board acquired a major new line of credit with Amarillo National Bank, questions about the college’s finances lead to the resignation of their top finance officer.
Sparks also flew at one AC Board meeting as a local activist was kicked out while attempting to give public comment.
Amarillo College did recently had a judge rule in their favor in a dispute with Sharpened Iron Studios, with a court ruling earlier this month that the studio must vacate the property they had been renting from the college.
#2: Kevin Nelson Secures Property Tax Reimbursement
The Nelson family made it back into local headlines this year. Kevin Nelson, the husband of former mayor Ginger Nelson recently purchased the downtown Courtyard by Marriott hotel. As part of the deal, Nelson also sought the 90% property tax reimbursement granted to the previous owner.
Securing the reimbursement wasn’t a straightforward process for Nelson. The deal required approval by the Center City TIRZ #1 Board of Directors and Amarillo City Council.
“This is going to be financially catastrophic!” exclaimed Nelson at one point during the TIRZ board meeting, worried that the discussion would take too long and leave the board without a quorum before the vote could occur. Ultimately, the board voted to grant the reimbursement, with the only member voting against being Amarillo ISD board member Tom Warren II.
When the item made its way to Amarillo City Council, it was likewise approved with a split vote. Mayor Cole Stanley, voting against the item, questioned the transparency of the deal.
Now that the deal has been approved, Nelson’s company will receive a reimbursement of 90% of property taxes paid on the property through 2031.
#1: Amarillo Matters Boss Loses Mayoral Bid
Jason Herrick, who was long a behind the scenes player in local politics as president of the once-powerful Amarillo Matters PAC, finally ran for public office earlier this year only to be soundly defeated as Mayor Cole Stanley secured a second term.
Herrick’s campaign was marred by scandals. Perhaps the largest scandal Herrick faced was his involvement in the controversial RANGE Foundation. Last year, legal questions arose regarding the Amarillo EDC’s funding of the foundation. Though the AEDC had budgeted $100,000 to fund the organization, it was revealed that they had instead paid $750,000 without approval from either the AEDC board or Amarillo City Council.
The controversy led to audits, a major change in financial policies, and the resignations of most of the AEDC board as well as the AEDC’s president and CEO.
Herrick, meanwhile, was president of the RANGE Foundation. Though he sought to defend the deal during his campaign, his opponents slammed him for what they saw as theft.
Herrick’s connections to the RANGE controversy weren’t his only challenge. He was widely ridiculed for filming a campaign ad at the Adult Video Gallery.