Candidates report large donations in latest Amarillo campaign filings

The city of Amarillo released the latest round of campaign finance reports for the May 6 election, which includes the reporting period from March 28 to April 26.

Of the 22 candidates still in the race the only mayoral candidate Jeffrey McGunegle did not submit a list on campaign contributions and expenditures, according to the Period 4 filing reports.

Leading all candidates in all races in donations received was mayoral candidate Cole Stanley, who reported $68,154 this period to bring his total campaign contributions to $121,088. Stanley, who reported no expenditures on his previous report, spent $105,492.

Stanley received the largest single donation in the election with $40,000 from Alex Fairly’s DealOn LLC this reporting period. He also received a $10,000 donation from Big Texan R.V. Ranch. Kush and Jayanti Nathu donated $2,001 a piece to Stanley, with Emmet Rice also giving $2,000. The Amarillo Firefighters Association also gave in-kind donations worth $1,750.00 to Stanley.

His mayoral opponent Freda Powell reported $21,732.37 this period, with her largest contributor being reported as $3,500 from the Teamsters D.R.I.V.E. fund. Her next largest donor was Janice Hodges, who contributed $1,200. She also had three donations of $1,000 apiece and reported in-kind donations of $2,006.13. Total contributions to her campaign have been $41,815,57.

Among the other mayoral candidates, Tonya Winston raised $5,775.56 and Sam Burnett raised $748.16. Don Collins claimed no donations and McGunegle turned in no campaign finance report. To date, he has claimed no donations.

In the crowded Place 1 field, businessman Dean Crump led all donations with $37,810. His largest donations listed were from Jorcal Holdings and Chris Schaubaur of $5,000. Jorcal Holdings LLC is a holdings company owned by Crump, which was incorporated in 2007. In total, Crump has received $75,085 in contributions.

Just slightly behind Crump this reporting period was Josh Craft, who raised $35,960. Most of the money raised was from the Amarillo Professional Fire Fighters Association Political Action Committee (PAC), listing donations of $15,000 and $10,000 for a total of $25,000 from the organization. Previously this PAC received a $25,000 donation from Fairly’s DealON. Craft has raised $59,580 to this point in his campaign.

Kelsey Richardson raised $12,890 in donations this period, with her largest donation of $10,000 coming directly from Alex Fairly. This donation makes two candidates that he is supporting in this race financially. With this donation, Richardson raised a total of $18,392 in campaign contributions.

Another candidate in Place 1 who received a large donation was Chip Hunt, who raised a total of $10,100, with $9,800 from the Save Amarillo PAC, which also has received funds from Fairly in the past. Candidates Sherri Wood and Margie Gonzales reported no campaign contributions during this period.

In Place 2, insurance agent Don Tipps raised $5,101 for this period, bringing his total to $21,506 with the largest donation being from himself to his campaign for $10,000 during the last reporting period. For the new reporting period, his largest donation was from the Amarillo Area Realtors PAC, which totaled $2,000. His opponents, Misty Vigil and Gabriel McHenry-Herrera, reported no contributions during this period.

In a close fundraising campaign, Katt Massey edged out Tom Scherlen with $28,456 in donations for the period. Massey has received $56,934 in campaign contributions during the election cycle. Her largest donations came from Mark Jacobs with $3,001 and Mark Binns with $1,500.

Scherlen received $24,224, most of which came from Fairly’s DealOn LLC, which gave $20,000. For the election, Scherlen has received $64,275, with $45,000 coming from Fairly through DealOnLLC. That is the most donated to any candidate in the race from Fairly.

Running away from the rest of the field with donations for Place 4 is Les Simpson, who added $35,687 in contributions over the last period. His largest donation was $4,000 from the Amarillo Association of Realtors PAC. His second largest donor was from Alex Fairly, with $2,500 which brings his total support to $5,000 for Simpson.

Claudette Smith raised $4,898 this period, with her largest donation of $1,500 from Chasney’s Whiskey Saloon. Among the other candidates in the field, Johns Ingerson raised $520.00 and Hobert “Gunny" Brown claimed no donations.

Some donations may not be reflected in this period if received after the April 26 deadline.

Election Day is May 6 and campaign finance reports can be found at https://www.amarillo.gov/departments/city-manager/city-secretary/financial-reports

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Candidates report large donations in latest Amarillo campaign filings