McKinney Mayoral Runoff, Cox and Sanford Battle for City's Future in High-Stakes June 7 Election
Former McKinney City Council member Bill Cox and former Texas State Representative Scott Sanford will face off in a decisive runoff election on Saturday, June 7, 2025, to determine who will lead one of Texas's fastest-growing cities through critical decisions regarding airport expansion, development, and preserving the community's character. Cox secured 8,953 votes (46.79%), while Sanford garnered 7,810 votes (40.81%) in the May 3 general election, falling short of the 50% threshold required to avoid a runoff in the four-candidate race to succeed term-limited Mayor George Fuller.
The contentious campaign has centred on the controversial $72 million McKinney National Airport expansion, with Cox supporting the project as chair of the city's Planning and Zoning Commission and Sanford calling for a pause until the new administration can review the plan. Early voting concludes today, June 5, with election day polling from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday across Collin County.
Airport Expansion Divides Candidates and Community
The McKinney National Airport expansion has emerged as the defining issue separating the two mayoral candidates, representing broader tensions about growth management and fiscal responsibility in the rapidly expanding city. Cox, who chairs the Planning and Zoning Commission that unanimously approved the airport's site plan in January, defends the project as an economic engine that will benefit McKinney's future.
"McKinney National Airport projections show this will be a major economic engine for McKinney," Cox stated in candidate forums, according to Community Impact. The current funding plan relies on sales tax dollars rather than property taxes, addressing voter concerns following the rejection of $200 million in bond funding for the airport expansion by McKinney residents in 2023.
Sanford has positioned himself as the candidate willing to respect voter input on the controversial project. At a mayoral debate hosted by The McKinney Podcast, Sanford argued for halting the expansion until new leadership can thoroughly review the proposal.
"Since there are so many questions and there's so much division, it would be only reasonable for there to be a pause put on the development of the passenger terminal to allow the new mayor and the new council time to see the numbers and the documents," Sanford said during the debate.
The airport controversy reflects more profound questions about McKinney's identity as it transitions from a small town to a major suburban centre. According to KERA News, McKinney is located in Collin County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Contrasting Backgrounds Shape Leadership Approaches
Bill Cox brings decades of local government experience and deep McKinney roots to his mayoral campaign. A third-generation McKinney resident, Cox has served as an at-large city council member, mayor pro team, and currently chairs the Planning and Zoning Commission. His professional background includes work as a principal at Carey Cox Company, a local real estate firm, and leadership roles with the Collin College Foundation, McKinney Rotary Club, and Chamber of Commerce.
"I've seen it when it was a small town, and I've seen what it is now, and I understand completely what it will take to take McKinney into the future," Cox said during the mayoral debate, emphasizing his longstanding community connections.
Scott Sanford enters the race with legislative experience and pastoral leadership credentials. The executive pastor at Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen served in the Texas House of Representatives for 10 years, representing the McKinney area from 2013 to 2023 before retiring from the legislature. His campaign emphasizes bringing state-level experience to local governance while preserving McKinney's community character.
"I love McKinney—its people, community, and values. As state representative, I fought to ensure government worked for the people," Sanford stated in his candidate profile, according to Community Impact.
The contrast in backgrounds has created distinct campaign themes, with Cox emphasizing continuity and institutional knowledge while Sanford promotes change and a fresh perspective on city governance.
High-Profile Endorsements Reflect Political Divisions
The mayoral race has attracted significant attention from prominent political figures, highlighting the stakes involved in McKinney's leadership transition. Governor Greg Abbott endorsed Sanford along with several other prominent Collin County elected officials, lending state-level credibility to the former legislator's campaign.
Current Mayor George Fuller has backed Cox, along with several city council members who worked closely with Cox during his tenure as mayor pro team. Fuller defended his choice while acknowledging Abbott's political calculations in supporting Sanford.
"He's just endorsing somebody that carried the water for initiatives that were important to the governor, and I understand it," Fuller told KERA News regarding Abbott's endorsement. "What I'm looking for is a leader who protects and stands for the constituents that they were elected to represent."
The endorsement battle extends to public safety organizations, with McKinney Police and McKinney Fire backing Cox's candidacy, according to his campaign website. These endorsements carry particular weight given both candidates' emphasis on public safety as a top priority for the next mayor.
Fuller raised concerns about Sanford's engagement with McKinney during his legislative tenure, stating he remembered Sanford at only two community events over eight years. This criticism raises questions about the balance between local and state-level focus, which may influence voter perceptions.
Property Tax Relief Emerges as Central Campaign Theme
Both candidates have prioritized property tax relief as a key campaign promise, though they propose different approaches to achieving this goal. Cox emphasizes expanding McKinney's commercial tax base through strategic business development while maintaining the city's character and managing growth responsibly.
"Bill is committed to safeguarding McKinney's unique character and hometown feel while holding developers responsible, ensuring that growth and progress respect the traditions and qualities that make the city special," according to his campaign website.
Sanford frames property tax relief in terms of expanding commercial growth and has criticized previous legislative votes that he argues helped McKinney residents. At the mayoral debate, Sanford defended his vote for legislation limiting city governments' ability to raise property taxes, despite criticism that such measures hurt municipal budgets.
"I voted for the taxpayer," Sanford said when questioned about the controversial legislation. His campaign website promises to work toward making McKinney's public safety officials "the best-paid in Collin County" while keeping property taxes low.
The tax relief debate is connected to broader questions about municipal finance and service delivery as McKinney continues to grow rapidly. According to Fox 4 News, both candidates must balance competing demands for infrastructure investment, public safety enhancement, and fiscal restraint.
Infrastructure and Growth Management Challenges
McKinney's rapid population growth has created significant infrastructure challenges that the next mayor will address. During candidate forums, both Cox and Sanford acknowledged the need for improved transportation, water supply management, and strategic planning extending to the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction
Cox emphasized his experience with city planning processes and his understanding of development patterns gained through his work on the Planning and Zoning Commission. His campaign focuses on attracting businesses that align with McKinney's values, while expanding infrastructure to support continued growth.
"We as a city need to understand McKinney is growing and will continue to grow. We need to prepare now for new roads, infrastructure, and attainable housing opportunities for our residents," Cox stated in his candidate profile.
Sanford approaches growth management from a legislative perspective, emphasizing strategic decision-making and striking a balance between development and preservation of community character. His campaign website stresses the importance of enhancing city infrastructure and bolstering McKinney's economy, while preserving its small-town character.
The infrastructure challenge extends beyond traditional city services to include regional connectivity and coordination with neighbouring communities. According to the McKinney Podcast debate, candidates discussed citywide transportation programs and planning coordination that reflects McKinney's evolution from a small, isolated town to a major suburban center.
Public Safety Priorities Unite Candidates Despite Different Approaches
Both mayoral candidates have identified public safety as their top priority, though they propose different strategies for enhancing police and fire services. Cox's experience as mayor pro team provides him with detailed knowledge of current public safety operations and budget requirements.
Safety of our citizens. Make it a priority to ensure our Police and Fire Departments are adequately staffed and equipped to be the best they can be," Cox stated as his primary challenge for McKinney residents.
The endorsements from McKinney Police and McKinney Fire suggest confidence in Cox's ability to support public safety operations based on his previous city government experience. His campaign emphasizes continuity in public safety leadership and building on the department's existing strengths.
Sanford approaches public safety from a compensation and resource perspective, promising to make McKinney's public safety officials the highest-paid in Collin County. This approach reflects his legislative experience with state-level budget processes and regional competition for qualified personnel.
Both candidates acknowledge that public safety concerns encompass not only traditional crime prevention but also emergency response capabilities, community policing initiatives, and coordination with county and state agencies. The rapid population growth creates additional complexity in maintaining service levels while expanding coverage areas.
Campaign Finance and Grassroots Engagement
The mayoral race has highlighted different approaches to campaign finance and voter engagement. According to debate footage from The McKinney Podcast, candidate Dr. Matt Rostami emphasized running without raising or spending campaign money, positioning himself as an alternative to traditional political fundraising.
While Rostami finished fourth in the general election with 1,106 votes (5.78%), his approach contrasted with those of both Cox and Sanford, who employed more traditional campaigns with fundraising and endorsement strategies. The runoff election has intensified both campaigns' outreach efforts as they compete for the supporters of eliminated candidates.
Cox's campaign benefits from institutional support through his role on the Planning and Zoning Commission and his established relationships with business and civic organizations. His endorsements from current city leadership provide credibility but also tie him to existing policies that some voters may want to change.
Sanford's campaign leverages his legislative network and pastoral connections while positioning him as an outsider capable of bringing a fresh perspective to city governance. The Abbott endorsement lends statewide credibility but may also raise questions about the balance between state and local priorities.
Voter Turnout and Election Dynamics
The May 3 general election saw 19,136 total votes cast in the mayoral race, representing relatively modest turnout for a city of McKinney's size. Early voting, available through May 31 and June 2-3, provides multiple opportunities for residents to participate in the runoff election.
According to Community Impact, early voting in the general election included 13,235 ballots cast, with Cox leading Sanford by approximately six percentage points. The runoff dynamic may favor either candidate depending on which eliminated voters choose to participate and how they align with the remaining options.
Taylor Willingham received 1,267 votes (6.62%) and Matt "Doc" Rostami garnered 1,106 votes (5.78%) in the general election, creating a pool of over 2,300 voters whose preferences could determine the runoff outcome. Both Cox and Sanford must appeal to these voters while maintaining their core supporter bases.
The timing of the election, occurring on a Saturday in early June, may influence turnout patterns compared to the May general election. According to Fox 4 News, polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on June 7.
Stakes for McKinney's Future Direction
The June 7 runoff election will determine McKinney's leadership during a critical period of growth and development, as well as key decisions that will impact the city. The new mayor will inherit ongoing projects, including the airport expansion, and face budget decisions that affect property taxes, as well as guide the city's response to continued population growth pressures.
According to KERA News, airport construction is scheduled to begin soon, with the new terminal set to open sometime next year. This timeline means the new mayor will immediately confront implementation decisions regardless of their campaign position on the project.
The broader implications extend beyond individual policy decisions to questions about McKinney's identity and development trajectory. Both candidates acknowledge the tension between growth and character preservation, but propose different approaches to managing this balance.
Cox's continuity-focused approach suggests building on existing plans and relationships while making incremental adjustments based on community input. Sanford's change-oriented campaign suggests more comprehensive policy reviews and potential course corrections for major initiatives.
The election outcome will also influence McKinney's relationship with state government, given Sanford's legislative experience and Abbott's endorsement versus Cox's focus on local governance and community relationships.
A Defining Moment for McKinney
The Cox-Sanford runoff represents more than a choice between two qualified candidates; it embodies fundamental questions about McKinney's future direction as it transitions from a small town to a major suburban centre. Voters must decide between Cox's institutional experience and community continuity versus Sanford's legislative background and promise of a fresh perspective on city governance.
The airport expansion controversy has crystallized broader tensions about growth management, fiscal responsibility, and democratic input that will continue to influence McKinney politics, regardless of the election outcome. Both candidates acknowledge these challenges while proposing different solutions based on their distinct backgrounds and governing philosophies.
With early voting concluding today and election day Saturday, McKinney residents have a final opportunity to shape their city's leadership during this pivotal period. The results will not only determine who leads McKinney for the next term but also the broader approach to balancing growth, character preservation, and fiscal responsibility that will define the city's trajectory for years to come.