McKinney Mayoral Debate: Four Candidates Share Their Vision for the City’s Future

Four men vying to become McKinney’s new mayor laid out their vision for their fast-growing city during a Tuesday night debate. Estate attorney Taylor Willingham, former council member Bill Cox, pastor and former Republican state representative Scott Sanford, and eye surgeon Dr. Matt Rostami are competing to steer the trajectory of the city as it faces rising property values, population growth, and higher infrastructure costs.

Mayor George Fuller leaves his seat after eight years of shepherding economic development projects in the city, including the McKinney National Airport, a $200 million surf park development, and a 20,000-seat amphitheater. The four candidates debated in front of a few hundred attendees that filled the Courtroom Theater of the McKinney Performing Arts Center on Tuesday. The Collin County Young Republicans hosted the event.

Steering Economic Development

Projects supported by the city’s economic development and community development corporations were among the night’s most contentious public issues. Cox, a McKinney native, said he’d work with economic development partners to attract businesses to McKinney. “We’re not a small town anymore. We can no longer think like we were a small town,” Cox said.

Sanford advocated for transparency toward economic development projects in the city, which have come under scrutiny from some taxpayers. “We’re going to do the math, and we’re going to show the math,” Sanford said, “and if we can’t establish a timeline of benefit for you, the current residents and taxpayers of McKinney, that project is a no deal.”

Rostami said he would prioritize keeping taxes low and focus less on growing the city. “They talk a lot about growth,” Rostami said. “What’s going to grow is going to be the bank accounts of all these developers.”

The McKinney National Airport Controversy

The crowd booed when the topic turned to the McKinney National Airport. The City Council has pushed to expand the airport despite two failed bond elections to fund the project. Willingham said the council should not push a project that people don’t want. But in the case of the airport, he contended, it’s too late to go back.

“It’s already done,” Willingham said. “Now we can’t have it fail, because then we’ll be holding the bag for it. So there are things that we need to do to move it forward and make sure that it ends up being a good project.” Hours before the debate, McKinney’s economic development corporations approved issuing sales tax revenue bonds to fund commercial expansion at the airport, infrastructure that will include a passenger terminal. Airlines may service the airport as early as next year.

Infrastructure and Housing

Cox said McKinney needs to work with the Texas Department of Transportation and the state legislature to secure funding for transportation projects in the city. He also said the city needs to balance the rights of residents in areas outside McKinney’s limits but within the city’s planning area. “We as a city need to protect who we are and what we are,” Cox said.

Sanford said his experience in the state legislature would serve the city if he is elected mayor. “Because of my state and federal relationships, because of my colleagues that I’ve served with over the 10 years that I was in the Legislature, I believe we’ll be well positioned to communicate the needs of McKinney,” Sanford said.

Cox is a real estate broker and the current chair of McKinney’s Planning and Zoning Commission, and Rostami pointed out that connection. “If you keep voting for a developer, you’re going to get more apartments,” Rostami said.

Bill Cox during the McKinney Mayoral debate at the McKinney Performing Arts Center in McKinney, Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Cox defended himself, saying his profession qualifies him to make and understand zoning decisions in the city. Two other council seats are contested, and candidates will debate April 8 at the performing arts center. April 3 is the last day to register to vote in the May 3 election. Early voting will take place from April 22 to April 29.

Conclusion

The debate highlighted the different visions and approaches of the four candidates, each with their strengths and weaknesses. As the city of McKinney continues to grow and face new challenges, the next mayor will play a crucial role in shaping its future. The election will be an important opportunity for residents to have their say and choose the leader who best represents their values and priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the four candidates running for mayor of McKinney?

A: The four candidates are Taylor Willingham, Bill Cox, Scott Sanford, and Matt Rostami.

Q: What are the main issues facing the city of McKinney?

A: The city is facing rising property values, population growth, and higher infrastructure costs, as well as controversy over the expansion of the McKinney National Airport.

Q: When is the election and how can I register to vote?

A: The election is on May 3, and the last day to register to vote is April 3. Early voting will take place from April 22 to April 29.

Q: What is the role of the mayor in the city of McKinney?

A: The mayor plays a crucial role in shaping the city’s future, making key decisions on economic development, infrastructure, and zoning, and representing the city’s interests at the state and federal level.