Republican Commission Candidate may be Ineligible
By: Kelly James
Updated: May 1, 2012
AMARILLO -- It looks like the lone Republican candidate running for the Potter county commission precinct two seat will not be allowed on the November ballot.
It appears Fabian Tankesly, 50, may be ineligible to run for state office because of a felony conviction.
Tankesly is the only Republican candidate seeking to fill the unexpired term of the late Manny Perez. Four candidates are running in the Democratic primary.
The Potter county Republican chairman says he was told by Tankesly about the felony convictions, which include two for auto-theft.
However, Tom Roller says it's not up to him or the Republican party to vet the candidates and that he has to accept their applications for the seat by law.
But Roller says he will have no choice but to remove Tankesly from the general election ballot should he win the primary.
Roller says it's too late to have Tankesley's name removed from next month's primary ballot. But, it will not appear on the November ballot.
This might actually work in the Republicans favor.
Because Tankesly will more than likely be deemed ineligible, he's the only republican on the ballot, so the Potter county Republican party will be able to choose his replacement on the November ballot.
It appears Fabian Tankesly, 50, may be ineligible to run for state office because of a felony conviction.
Tankesly is the only Republican candidate seeking to fill the unexpired term of the late Manny Perez. Four candidates are running in the Democratic primary.
The Potter county Republican chairman says he was told by Tankesly about the felony convictions, which include two for auto-theft.
However, Tom Roller says it's not up to him or the Republican party to vet the candidates and that he has to accept their applications for the seat by law.
But Roller says he will have no choice but to remove Tankesly from the general election ballot should he win the primary.
Roller says it's too late to have Tankesley's name removed from next month's primary ballot. But, it will not appear on the November ballot.
This might actually work in the Republicans favor.
Because Tankesly will more than likely be deemed ineligible, he's the only republican on the ballot, so the Potter county Republican party will be able to choose his replacement on the November ballot.
