Collin County voters returned to the polls on June 7 to settle several closely contested races that were left undecided after May’s general election.
With ballots now cast in key municipal runoffs, both McKinney and Frisco are preparing to welcome new voices to their respective city councils. These leaders will shape development, policy and priorities over the next four years.
Development and Debates in Frisco
In Frisco, two city council seats drew widespread attention, especially in the wake of the failed $160 million bond proposal to help fund a performing arts center. The high-profile measure, which voters rejected in May, had long been championed by city leaders as a cultural milestone that would bring large-scale events like Broadway productions to the suburbs. But critics questioned the cost and necessity of the $340 million project.
The defeat rippled into the runoff for Place 2, where incumbent Tammy Meinershagen, an outspoken supporter of the arts center, faced political newcomer Burt Thakur, who opposed the bond. Thakur, who positioned himself as a fiscal watchdog against the project, defeated Meinershagen with nearly 55% of the vote across Collin and Denton counties.
"Serving Frisco has been one of the greatest honors of my life," Meinershagen said in a campaign email. "I have always led with heart, with conviction and with a deep love for this community. I have loved governing and stewarding Frisco, our city that allowed me to become the person I am today."
In the Place 4 race, first-time candidate Jared Elad edged out Gopal Ponangi with approximately 53% of the vote. Elad’s win signals another shift in a city council increasingly shaped by debates over how and where Frisco should grow, and who should benefit from that growth.
McKinney Elects New Mayor and Council Member
McKinney voters also weighed in on two runoff races of their own: selecting a new mayor and an At-Large city council representative. With current Mayor George Fuller term-limited after eight years in office, the mayoral race was seen as a critical moment for a city that has experienced explosive population growth and rising tensions over community development.
Bill Cox, a realtor and former McKinney City Council member, defeated Scott Sanford, a pastor and former Republican state representative, with 52.55% of the vote. Cox’s win, by just over 1,100 votes, positions him to lead McKinney into its next chapter. Fuller previously endorsed Cox as his successor.
“As a lifelong McKinney resident, I have seen our city grow while holding onto the heritage that makes it special,” Cox said in a Facebook post. “I understand the importance of mindful growth — ensuring we preserve our history while embracing opportunities that strengthen our community.”
In the At-Large council race, Ernest Lynch won decisively with 62.64% of the vote, defeating Jim Garrison. Lynch, a longtime resident and active community member, will now serve a four-year term helping shape citywide policy and decisions alongside the new mayor and other council members.
All election results remain unofficial until canvassed at special city council meetings for each respective city.
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