Retired educator Rusty Tomlinson has announced plans to run for Amarillo City Council Place 3.

Tomlinson said he decided to run after reading an article in the Amarillo Globe-News about a councilman’s derogatory Facebook posts.

"A person with those racist and Islamophobic views has no business anywhere near a position of authority," said Tomlinson, a retired special education teacher.

"Mr. Burkett’s posts were all the inspiration I needed," Tomlinson said.

Councilman Burkett, who sits at Place 3, has not announced his election plans.

Councilman Mark Nair, Place 4, said Wednesday night that he intends to file for re-election today.

Charles Edward Sauer Jr. filed his paperwork declaring a Place 3 candidacy on Jan. 24.

Tomlinson has previously attempted to run for a seat in both houses of Congress, having filed as a member of the Green Party campaigning against Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson in 2006 and against Rep. Mac Thornberry in 2016. This is Tomlinson’s first attempt for a seat on City Council.

Tomlinson made his announcement Tuesday during the public comment section of a City Council meeting.

Tomlinson said he attended the University of Corpus Christi and New Mexico Highlands University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Those wishing to run in the May 6 municipal elections have until Friday to file.