Muslim Candidates and Community in Focus,Collin County’s May 3, 2025 Elections
Collin County, Texas, held its local elections on May 3, 2025, drawing attention for both the slate of candidates and the broader debates surrounding the region’s growing Muslim community. With over 740,000 registered voters and a turnout of 7.35%, the election featured high-stakes mayoral races, city council contests, and a series of bond propositions, all unfolding as the county grapples with demographic change and questions of inclusion.
Key Results and Voter Turnout
The election saw competitive races in major Collin County cities, such as Plano and McKinney. In Plano, incumbent Mayor John Muns secured a commanding lead with 100% of early votes. At the same time, voters approved all seven city bond propositions, ranging from $316 million for street improvements to $40.8 million for parks and recreation, most passing with over 60% support. In McKinney, the mayoral race remained closely contested, with Bill Cox leading at 47.23% and Scott Sanford at 41.02%, setting the stage for a runoff.
Despite the county’s large electorate, overall voter turnout remained modest at just over 7%, according to official county statistics5. This figure underscores ongoing challenges in mobilizing voters for local elections, even as issues of representation and community development dominate public discourse.
Muslim Candidates, Representation and Challenges
While the May 3 election results did not highlight any Muslim candidates winning major offices in Collin County, the presence and activism of the Muslim community have become increasingly visible in recent years, mirroring a national trend. According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the number of Muslim candidates and elected officials across the United States has surged, with over 250 Muslims holding office nationwide in 2024, up from 235 the previous year. Although most of these gains have occurred in other states and cities, Collin County’s evolving demographics have prompted more Muslim residents to seek public office and engage in civic life.
"Every cycle we're seeing an increase in the number of people running," said Basim Elkarra, executive director of CAIR Action. "You're seeing more local races, more school board races and more city council races where folks are running in"8.
This surge is driven by a desire for greater representation, concerns about Islamophobia, and the need to address issues affecting Muslim Americans at the local level. Nationally, Muslim voter turnout has also increased, with advocacy groups like Emgage reporting significant growth in registered Muslim voters and participation rates in recent election cycles.
The EPIC City Debate
The 2025 election unfolded against a heated debate over the proposed EPIC City, a planned community near Josephine in Collin County designed to serve the growing Muslim population. The project, spearheaded by Community Capital Partners and tied to the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), envisions 1,000 homes, a mosque, a community center, a school, and a hospital.
The proposal has sparked both hope and controversy. Supporters argue that EPIC City would provide much-needed facilities and foster inclusivity, while critics have raised concerns about segregation and transparency. The project has also drawn scrutiny from state officials, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who launched investigations into the development and its backers for potential consumer protection violations.
"Under my watch, there will be zero tolerance for any person or entity that breaks Texas law," Paxton stated in a news release.
At a recent Collin County Commissioners Court meeting, residents voiced various opinions. Some decried the project as divisive, while others called for respect and representation for the Muslim community.
"These individuals deserve treatment and real representation. We must advocate for an inclusive Texas," said Collin County resident Dylan Evans during the public forum.
Imran Chaudhary, president of Community Capital Partners and a key figure behind the project, emphasized the intent to comply with all laws and foster an open, welcoming environment.
"We’ve been trying to follow every single law that is out there, from the state perspective to the federal perspective," Chaudhary told AFP.
Muslim Community Growth and Political Engagement
The Muslim population in Texas is estimated at over 313,000, with Collin County and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex seeing significant growth in recent years. Established two decades ago, the East Plano Islamic Center has become a focal point for the community, now serving around 5,000 people. Iman Yasir Qadhi, who leads prayers at EPIC, noted the community's organic growth and the need for expanded facilities.
"Because of the influx of people we are looking to expand," Qadhi explained, citing the appeal of Texas’s warm climate, low taxes, and diverse culture.
Despite the positive momentum, the community has faced challenges, including threats and misinformation. State officials, including Governor Greg Abbott, have characterized the EPIC City project as an attempt to impose Islamic law, a claim strongly denied by project leaders and legal experts.
"We never even discussed sharia. From day one we’ve consulted with our attorneys what is the best way for us to do this project, to make sure that we follow all the state laws, we follow all the federal laws," Chaudhary said.
Muslim Political Participation on the Rise
The developments in Collin County reflect broader national trends. Muslim Americans are increasingly running for office and participating in local elections. In 2024, CAIR tracked a record number of Muslim candidates, with local races for school boards and city councils accounting for much of the growth. This increased engagement is seen as a response to both the desire for representation and the challenges posed by Islamophobia and political polarization.
"If voter turnout of American Muslims is any indication of further political participation, Muslims running for office seems to parallel that trend," said Nura Sediqe, assistant professor of political science at Michigan State University.
While the 2025 Collin County elections did not result in major victories for Muslim candidates, the ongoing activism and debates signal an increasingly assertive community seeking a voice in local governance.
Voter Turnout and Demographic Shifts
Collin County’s turnout of 7.35%, with 54,401 ballots cast from 740,482 registered voters, highlights the challenges of mobilizing voters for local contests. However, the growing diversity of the electorate, including a rising number of Muslim voters, is reshaping the country’s political landscape. Nationally, Muslim voter turnout has risen recently, with Emgage reporting a 27% increase in the Muslim electorate in Michigan from 2016 to 2020 and similar trends in other states.
Inclusion and Representation in Collin County
As Collin County continues to grow and diversify, the debates surrounding EPIC City and the increasing political engagement of the Muslim community are likely to remain central issues. The May 3, 2025, elections underscored the opportunities and challenges facing minority communities seeking representation.
The outcome of ongoing investigations into the EPIC City project and future elections will shape the county’s approach to diversity and inclusion. For now, the Muslim community in Collin County remains committed to civic participation and building coalitions, even as it navigates resistance and scrutiny.
"I'm not doing this for myself. I am doing this for the Fatimas and the Muhammads and the Ahmads who are going to come 50 years from now," said Reshma Khan, a Muslim candidate in another U.S. local election, reflecting a sentiment echoed by many in Collin County.
Collin County’s story is one of change, challenge, and the ongoing pursuit of representation- a narrative playing out in communities across Texas and the nation.
