McKinney, Texas — Four candidates are competing to become McKinney’s next mayor, each offering a different vision for how the rapidly growing city should move forward. With Mayor George Fuller term-limited, voters will head to the polls on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to choose his successor.
The race centers on how to manage the city’s growth, approach large-scale projects like the McKinney National Airport expansion, and keep taxes in check — all against the backdrop of McKinney’s rising population and evolving identity.
🧑💼 The Candidates
Bill Cox, a former city councilmember and current Planning and Zoning Commission chair, supports the airport expansion and broader corporate development. Cox has called for strategic growth while protecting the city’s heritage and has cited the airport as a potential economic engine.
Matt “Doc” Rostami, an eye surgeon who’s previously run for State Board of Education and Texas Senate, is running on a platform of minimal development. He opposes the airport expansion, warning it could raise property taxes and alter the city’s character.
Scott Sanford, a former state representative and executive pastor at Cottonwood Creek Church, has emphasized transparency, public engagement, and prudent fiscal management. Sanford wants to pause the airport expansion to reassess its long-term value and ensure public buy-in.
Taylor Willingham, an estate planning attorney and business owner, is positioning himself as a pragmatic candidate who acknowledges the airport project is already in motion. He supports ensuring the expansion is successful to avoid potential financial fallout but is also raising broader concerns about the impact of AI on the workforce.
🏗️ Key Issues
Airport Expansion: The future of McKinney National Airport has become a dividing line in the race. The City Council voted in late 2023 to proceed with expansion plans despite previous voter rejection of bond funding for the project. Supporters see it as a long-term economic driver, while opponents question its return on investment and potential tax burden.
Growth and Development: With McKinney ranked among the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., candidates are offering contrasting strategies on how to balance development with infrastructure and quality of life.
Property Taxes and Economic Policy: Several candidates have promised to hold the line on taxes, with Cox and Sanford promoting business development to grow the tax base, and Rostami calling for limits on major capital projects to prevent future increases.
🗓️ Important Election Dates
- Early Voting: April 22–29, 2025
- Election Day: May 3, 2025
- Voting Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Vote Centers: Collin County allows residents to vote at any polling place across the county
Voters must have registered by April 3 to participate in this election.
🗣️ What’s at Stake
With McKinney’s population now topping 210,000 and continued expansion on the horizon, this mayoral election could shape the city’s direction for years to come. Whether voters want bold economic moves, cautious management, or scaled-back governance, the choice on May 3 will signal how McKinney sees its future.
For full details, visit the city’s official election page or the Collin County Elections Office.