Former State Rep. Scott Sanford has entered the race to be McKinney’s next mayor, pitting the pastor against an establishment-backed developer.

The race could become a referendum on a controversial plan for expanding the city-owned airport to accommodate commercial passenger service.

Mayor George Fuller is term-limited out of office in May since the city’s November effort to extend term limits failed.

Sanford announced his run for the open seat on Thursday.

“The reasons for my running are fairly simple… I love McKinney and want to see it prosper. McKinney has a unique sense of friendliness and community that needs to be protected and promoted,” Sanford said in his announcement via social media.

Ultimately, this uniqueness comes from the people who care about their neighbors and city. However, leadership can set the tone for the “vibe” of the city. As mayor, a positive disposition and a conviction that McKinney is a great city with a greater future ahead will magnify the amazing attributes of our people.

Sanford is an executive pastor at Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen.

He served as a Republican member of the Texas House representing the McKinney area for 10 years, retiring after the 2021 legislative session.

Former McKinney city councilman Bill Cox is also running for mayor.

Cox is a commercial real estate developer and past chairman of McKinney’s Chamber of Commerce.

He served on the Collin College Foundation Board and the committee that recommended last year’s $485 million city bond.

Cox is also the current chairman of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, which just unanimously approved a plan to add a $72 million commercial terminal to McKinney National Airport.

Adding commercial service to the airport has been a pet project of Fuller and other city officials and developers for several years.

The plan has created controversy within the city.

McKinney voters twice rejected ballot proposals to expand the airport using property taxes.

Supporters say the airport expansion will boost the local economy.

Opponents say it will drain local resources and spoil McKinney’s “unique by nature” appeal.

Sanford has not yet responded to questions about his position on the airport project, but voters are certain to broach the subject during the campaign.

Citizens can submit online comments about the airport expansion through January 31.

Three city council positions will also be on the May ballot: District 1, District 3, and At-Large 1.

District 1 incumbent Justin Beller and District 3 incumbent Geré Feltus have filed to run for re-election. So far, neither have drawn challengers.

Feltus voted in favor of a recent resolution supporting the airport expansion plan, while Beller voted no.

Two candidates have filed to run for the At Large 1 seat being vacated by term-limited Councilman Charlie Philips: Ernest Lynch and Derrick Carver.

The candidate filing deadline is February 14.

Early voting runs April 22-29. Election Day is Saturday, May 3.

Erin Anderson

Erin Anderson is a Senior Journalist for Texas Scorecard, reporting on state and local issues, events, and government actions that impact people in communities throughout Texas and the DFW Metroplex. A native Texan, Erin grew up in the Houston area and now lives in Collin County.

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