One political action committee in Amarillo is launching an attack on the challengers running for seats on the city council.
Recently, Amarillo Matters PAC released a new citywide mailer entitled the “2019 City Election Voter Guide,” attacking the candidates running against incumbents for seats on the Amarillo City Council. The mailer once again endorses the group’s preferred slate of incumbents, while criticizing the nine challengers seeking to oust the incumbents in the city’s upcoming at-large elections. Allegations made by the group against the challengers range all the way from criminal charges to discrediting the seriousness of one candidate’s campaign.
The pushback against the mailer was swift among the challenging candidates and some voters. Place 1 challenger Hayden Pedigo responded to the mailer, calling on voters to not be swayed by the allegations included.
“I hate that some people may read that ‘voter guide’ and actually take it at face value but as you all know, I don’t need big money or a PAC behind me to validate my campaign,” Pedigo said in a written statement.
This is not the first time Amarillo Matters has launched attacks against candidates in Amarillo elections. The group launched a similar mailer during the city’s 2017 municipal elections and also sent out a mailer in 2018 asking voters to re-elect Sen. Kel Seliger and State Rep. Four Price, while “not recommending” challengers Mike Canon, Victor Leal, and Drew Brassfield.
For this election cycle, Amarillo Matters has endorsed Mayor Ginger Nelson and the four incumbents on the city council; the group endorsed this same slate in 2017.
Voters in Amarillo will decide the election on May 4. Early voting will continue through April 30.
