Cox Defeats Sanford in McKinney Mayoral Runoff, Securing 52.55% of Vote
Bill Cox secured victory in McKinney's mayoral runoff election Saturday, defeating former state representative Scott Sanford with 52.55% of the vote in a contest that drew over 21,000 voters to determine leadership of one of Texas's fastest-growing cities.
With all 15 vote centers reporting, Cox received 11,401 votes compared to Sanford's 10,296 votes, representing 47.45% of ballots cast, according to unofficial voting results from Collin County1. The race saw 21,712 total votes cast in the mayoral contest, while countywide runoff elections drew 29,374 voters across multiple municipal races.
The victory caps a competitive campaign between two candidates with markedly different visions for McKinney's future, particularly regarding the controversial airport expansion project that has divided the community since voters rejected a $200 million bond package in 2023.
Early Lead Holds Through Election Night
Cox maintained his lead throughout election night, building on early voting results that showed him ahead with 8,793 votes (52.66%) compared to Sanford's 7,904 votes (47.34%) among the 16,697 ballots cast during the early voting period. His margin remained consistent as election day results were tabulated, with Cox holding approximately 52-53% of the vote at each reporting milestone.
"Bill Cox will be McKinney's next mayor, according to unofficial voting results from Collin County," Community Impact reported as final tallies were released Saturday evening. The results remain unofficial until canvassed by election officials.
The steady nature of Cox's lead throughout the counting process reflected the stability of voter preferences and suggested that both candidates had effective campaign organizations in turning out their respective bases.
Runoff Triggered by Fragmented May Election
Saturday's runoff became necessary after the May 3 election failed to produce a clear winner, with Cox receiving 8,957 votes (46.78%) and Sanford capturing 7,813 votes (40.81%) in a four-candidate field. Two other candidates, Taylor Willingham and Matt "Doc" Rostami, received 1,268 votes (6.62%) and 1,109 votes (5.79%), respectively, preventing any candidate from achieving the required 50% threshold.
"A runoff is triggered when no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in a regular election," according to Collin County Elections Administration Kaleb Breaux1. This requirement under Texas election law ensured that a clear majority of participating voters would choose McKinney's next mayor.
The fragmented nature of the original election reflected the competitive political landscape in McKinney, where rapid growth and development pressures have created diverse constituencies with varying priorities for municipal leadership.
Candidate Backgrounds and Experience
Cox brings extensive local government experience to the mayor's office, currently serving as chair of McKinney's Planning and Zoning Commission and working as a principal at a local real estate firm. He previously served as an at-large city council member and mayor pro tem, providing him with direct experience in municipal governance and city operations.
"Cox grew up in McKinney," KERA News reported, noting his deep local roots in the community. At a mayoral debate ahead of the general election, Cox acknowledged how much the city has changed, stating, "We can no longer think like we were a small town".
Sanford, meanwhile, brings state-level political experience as a former state representative from McKinney and serves as a church pastor. "Sanford said the city was at a crossroads and that current leadership has been too focused on development," NBC DFW reported. He positioned himself as someone who could leverage Austin connections, arguing, "Who better than somebody who knows Austin, who spent 10 years there? Who has a relationship with the governor, the senators, and the representatives than I?"
Airport Expansion Emerges as Key Issue
The McKinney Regional Airport expansion project became a central dividing line between the candidates, reflecting broader tensions about growth management and fiscal priorities. Cox supported moving forward with airport expansion despite voters rejecting bond funding in 2023, while Sanford opposed the project.
"The Planning and Zoning Commission, including Cox, approved the site plan for the city's controversial airport expansion in January after the city council passed a resolution expressing its support of the plan," KERA News reported. The city approved $58 million in construction contracts for the expansion in early May, moving forward with the project using alternative funding mechanisms.
Cox's support for airport expansion aligned with his broader pro-development stance, viewing the project as essential infrastructure for McKinney's continued economic growth. Sanford's opposition reflected concerns about fiscal responsibility and respecting voter preferences expressed through the failed bond election.
This issue resonated with voters concerned about both economic development opportunities and municipal spending priorities, making it a defining policy difference in the campaign.
Endorsements Reflect Political Divide
The endorsement patterns revealed the political coalitions supporting each candidate. Cox secured backing from current local leadership, including outgoing mayor George Fuller, most of the city council, school board members, and the realtors’ association. These endorsements suggested continuity with existing municipal policies and development approaches.
Sanford attracted support from higher-profile state and regional officials, with "many former colleagues, including the governor and the county judge," supporting his candidacy. This backing reflected his connections in Austin and appealed to voters seeking different policy directions.
The contrasting endorsement patterns highlighted the choices voters faced between continuity with the current local leadership and change driven by external political relationships and different policy priorities.
Campaign Themes and Voter Appeals
Cox campaigned on experience with local governance and understanding of municipal operations. "This is not the legislature. These are the people here in McKinney. This is where you vote on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, you see those same people in the grocery store, and they ask you, 'Why did you vote like that?'" Cox told NBC 5.
This message highlighted the intimate nature of local politics and his expertise in constituent services and community engagement. Cox's real estate background and experience on the planning commission positioned him as someone who understood both development opportunities and regulatory processes.
Sanford focused on his legislative experience and ability to advocate for McKinney at the state level. He argued that his relationships in Austin would benefit the city when dealing with state regulations or seeking legislative support for municipal priorities.
Both candidates addressed growth management concerns, though from different perspectives. Cox advocated for managed growth, while Sanford promoted slowing certain types of development, particularly apartment construction.
Voter Turnout and Democratic Participation
The 21,712 votes cast in the mayoral race represented strong engagement for a runoff election, though turnout typically declines compared to general elections. The broader countywide total of 29,374 voters participating in various runoff contests demonstrated continued civic engagement across Collin County's growing suburban communities.
Early voting accounted for 16,697 of the mayoral votes, with election day turnout adding approximately 5,000 additional ballots. This pattern reflected the convenience of early voting and voters' eagerness to participate in determining their community's leadership.
The competitive nature of the race likely contributed to higher turnout, as both candidates mobilized supporters through the extended campaign period between the May general election and the June runoff.
Municipal Governance Implications
Cox's victory suggests voter approval for continuing current development policies while addressing growth management challenges. His planning commission experience and real estate background indicate familiarity with development processes and zoning considerations that will be crucial as McKinney continues expanding.
The airport expansion issue will require careful implementation, given the divided community opinion reflected in the 2023 bond defeat. Cox will need to build a broader consensus around the project while addressing fiscal concerns that motivated opposition to bond funding.
His relationship with current city council members, many of whom endorsed his candidacy, should facilitate policy continuity and collaborative governance. This could prove valuable for maintaining municipal services and infrastructure development as the city grows.
Regional Growth Context
McKinney's mayoral election occurs amid unprecedented growth throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, with Collin County communities experiencing some of Texas's fastest population increases. This regional context makes local leadership decisions particularly consequential for managing development pressures and maintaining community character.
The airport expansion debate reflects broader questions facing North Texas suburbs about striking a balance between economic development, fiscal responsibility, and community preferences. Similar debates are occurring across the region as communities grapple with the challenges of growth management.
Cox's victory may influence how other Collin County municipalities approach development decisions and infrastructure investments, particularly regarding projects that require significant public investment or generate community controversy.
Leadership Transition
The transition from outgoing Mayor George Fuller to Cox represents continuity in municipal leadership philosophy, while bringing fresh perspectives from Cox's experience on the planning commission. Fuller's endorsement of Cox suggested confidence in policy continuity and effective governance.
Cox will face immediate challenges, including finalizing the implementation of airport expansion, managing ongoing development projects, and addressing infrastructure needs created by rapid population growth. His real estate background may prove valuable for understanding market dynamics and development economics.
The relationship between Cox and the state legislature, where Sanford had extensive connections, will require development, as municipal leaders often need to work with state officials on regulatory and funding issues affecting local communities.
Campaign Finance and Electoral Process
While specific campaign finance details were not provided in available reports, the competitive nature of both the general election and runoff suggested significant investment by both candidates in voter outreach and mobilization efforts. The extended campaign period, from May to June, required sustained organizational capacity and volunteer engagement.
The runoff format provided voters with a clear choice between two distinct approaches to municipal governance, eliminating the complexity of multi-candidate fields and ensuring the winner had majority support among participating voters.
Collin County's election administration successfully managed the complex logistics of conducting multiple simultaneous runoffs across various jurisdictions, thereby maintaining public confidence in the electoral process and the accuracy of results.
Community Impact and Future Governance
Cox's election victory will shape McKinney's approach to managing continued growth while maintaining community amenities and fiscal responsibility. His planning commission background suggests familiarity with zoning decisions, development review processes, and infrastructure planning that will be crucial for effective governance.
The airport expansion issue will require careful navigation to build community consensus while moving forward with approved projects. Cox's challenge will be to demonstrate the economic benefits of expansion while addressing the concerns that motivated the original bond defeat.
Relationships with neighboring municipalities and regional organizations will be important as Collin County communities face shared challenges related to transportation, utilities, and economic development coordination.
Democratic Process Delivers Clear Mandate
Saturday's runoff election provided McKinney voters with a definitive choice about their community's future direction, resulting in a clear mandate for Bill Cox's approach to municipal leadership. The 52.55% to 47.45% margin, although not overwhelming, represents a solid majority in support of continuity with current development policies and local governance approaches.
The democratic process worked effectively, with robust voter participation and competitive campaigns that highlighted key policy differences for voters to consider. Cox's victory reflects support for his experience-based approach to local governance and development management.
As McKinney continues to grow and evolve, the leadership transition from Fuller to Cox maintains policy continuity while bringing fresh perspectives from Cox's planning commission and business background. The challenges ahead will test his ability to build consensus around controversial projects while managing the practical demands of governing one of Texas's most dynamic communities.
The election results demonstrate the vitality of local democracy in suburban Texas, where engaged citizens participate actively in selecting leaders who will make consequential decisions about community development, municipal services, and quality of life priorities that directly affect residents' daily experiences.