By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews.com
McKinney voters are preparing to decide one of the most important local races of the year: the June 7, 2025, runoff for the At-Large 1 seat on the McKinney City Council.
With former hospital executive Ernest Lynch and longtime civic leader Jim Garrison facing off, voters must weigh two distinct leadership styles and visions for the city’s future — from public safety priorities to economic growth strategies.
🏛 What Makes the At-Large 1 Seat Unique?
Unlike McKinney’s district-based council seats, the At-Large 1 position is one of two citywide seats. This means:
-
Every eligible voter across McKinney, regardless of neighborhood, can cast a ballot in this race.
-
The At-Large 1 council member serves all residents, not just a defined geographic area.
-
The seat plays a critical role in shaping decisions on citywide budgets, infrastructure, economic development, and long-term planning.
With McKinney’s rapid growth, the At-Large 1 seat carries extra weight in balancing the city’s evolving needs and opportunities.
🧑💼 Jim Garrison: Proactive Experience and Economic Expansion
Jim Garrison, a longtime civic leader and former Coppell council member, brings over 35 years of public service experience to the race, including roles on McKinney’s Building and Standards Commission and as HOA president for 742 families.
Garrison centers his platform on public safety, economic expansion, and infrastructure readiness.
“You need to provide police officers, first responders, firefighters with the tools, the resources, the finances to do the job they need to do,” Garrison said. “If you don’t provide a safe place to live and work, nothing else really matters.”
Garrison strongly supports McKinney’s major upcoming projects, including the McKinney National Airport expansion and the 20,000-seat Sunset Amphitheater.
“These projects will forever change the way McKinney looks — and this is a good thing,” he said. “I bring experience no other candidate does — including DFW airport expansion and firsthand research at similar amphitheaters.”
He also stresses the need for council members to be prepared from day one.
“This election takes place a month from now. Whoever wins needs to be ready to go to work — this is not a time for on-the-job training.”
🧑⚕️ Ernest Lynch: Listening Leadership and Practical Growth
Ernest Lynch, retired CEO of Medical City McKinney, brings decades of executive experience and a long record of local civic involvement.
Lynch emphasizes public safety, pragmatic growth, and economic development as his top priorities.
“Number one would be to make sure that we have a safe city,” Lynch said in a recent interview. “I’m honored to have the endorsement of McKinney’s fire department and will always make sure they are a priority — that they have the infrastructure and the technology to support the city.”
Lynch also stresses the importance of data-driven decision-making as McKinney grows.
“We are at a tipping point in terms of how we plan for growth,” he said. “We need to make the most of these opportunities, but we need to be practical, pragmatic, and listen.”
On business development, Lynch draws from his years leading a major local employer:
“As a former hospital CEO, I know what it’s like to operate a business in McKinney. We need a strong tax base, a growing vibrant economy, and an inviting business environment.”
🔍 Key Points of Agreement and Difference
| Issue | Ernest Lynch | Jim Garrison |
|---|---|---|
| Public Safety | Top priority; backed by fire/police endorsements | Top priority; central to platform |
| Growth Approach | Pragmatic, data-driven; cautious on big projects | Pro-expansion; sees projects as economic drivers |
| Business Focus | Strong tax base, inviting climate, business growth | Attracting and retaining businesses; economic opportunity |
| Leadership Style | Servant leadership, emphasizes listening and collaboration | Experienced, proactive, “ready on day one” mindset |
🗳 How and When to Vote
-
Early Voting: May 27 – June 3, 2025
-
Election Day: Saturday, June 7, 2025
-
Voting Locations: Any Collin County polling place (see Collin County Elections website for full details)
🏛 Why It Matters
Local elections like this one shape decisions on taxes, development, safety, and quality of life across McKinney. While national politics often dominate headlines, the work of city councils directly affects residents’ daily lives — from the roads they drive to the parks their kids play in.
Both Lynch and Garrison bring deep experience and a passion for serving the McKinney community. Now it’s up to the voters to decide which leadership style, vision, and priorities will guide the city into its next chapter.
Stay tuned to TX3DNews.com for full coverage of the runoff election, including live results and candidate updates.
Note: Jim Garrison submitted a candidate profile directly to TX3DNews.com. Information about Ernest Lynch was compiled from public interviews and statements available on YouTube, Facebook, and the Collin County Votes website.