McKinney’s New Mayor
In a contentious race to steer McKinney’s growth as the city’s next mayor, Bill Cox has defeated Scott Sanford in Saturday’s runoff election.
McKinney’s rapid growth has brought development that has divided residents on visions for its future — a vision that the next elected leaders will guide, from the city’s airport expansion project to its housing stock. The city has expanded from about 54,000 residents in 2000 to a population of more than 224,000 today, according to U.S. census data.
The Election Results
Cox, a realtor and former council member, received 52.6% of votes, according to unofficial final results posted on Collin County’s website, about 1,100 more votes than his opponent. Pastor and former Republican state representative Scott Sanford had 47.5%.
The two men are vying to replace Mayor George Fuller, who is term-limited after leading the fast-growing city for eight years. Fuller had endorsed Cox.
Reactions to the Results
“McKinney still has leadership that understands what they want, and we were fortunate to be on the side of what McKinney wants,” Cox said late Saturday.
The runoff saw a higher turnout than the May 3 election, with more than 21,000 voters casting a ballot in the June 7 mayoral race.
Sanford said Saturday night he was “disappointed” in the results but proud of his campaign team. He hopes the city’s new leadership keeps an open mind.
“I would hope that they would renew efforts to connect with the people, all other people, and respect their viewpoints and their concerns and address them appropriately,” Sanford said.
People walk out of the poling center at the John and Judy Gay Public Library in McKinney, Texas, on Saturday, June 7, 2025 during the city’s runoff election for mayor and at-large council member. (Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer)
The City Council Election
In the city’s other open council seat, Ernest Lynch led Jim Garrison by about 25 percentage points, according to unofficial final results.
The men are vying to replace council member Charlie Philips.
Lynch, a former CEO of Medical City McKinney, received 62.6% of the votes, followed by Garrison, a business owner, with 37.4%.
The Airport Expansion Project
The McKinney National Airport has played a central role in the election, with some voters against city leader’s persistence on the project’s expansion and the disruption they fear will come from the addition of commercial service.
The airport’s addition of a passenger terminal has proceeded despite voters rejecting the city’s request for bond funding for airport projects in previous elections. A conservation group recently filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to review the environmental impact of development at the airport.
Cox, 61, said he supports making the most out of the city’s investment in the airport.
From left, Bill Cox, Matt Rostami, Scott Sanford, and Taylor Willingham, during the Mckinney Mayoral debate at the McKinney Performing Arts Center in McKinney Texas, Sunday, March 18, 2025. Estate attorney Taylor Willingham, realtor and former council member Bill Cox, pastor and former Republican state representative Scott Sanford and eye surgeon Dr. Matt Rostami are competing to fill Mayor George Fuller’s seat.(Anja Schlein / Special Contributor)
Cox’s Vision for the City
Cox believes one of the city’s biggest challenges will be how it manages undeveloped land outside of city limits.
“What McKinney needs the most is a mayor that understands where we are, how we got here and where we’re going in the future,” Cox said outside the John and Judy Gay Public Library Saturday. “We have challenges ahead.”
Sanford’s Concerns
Sanford, 61, has sought greater transparency over economic development projects in McKinney, which have come under scrutiny from some taxpayers. Sanford has also called for a halt to airport expansion, so the city can better assess its return on investment.
