Frisco picks a new mayor after a heated race

Frisco just elected a new mayor after nine years, and the campaign got messy. Mark Hill won with 58% of the vote against Rod Vilhauer, a retired construction boss who made headlines for calling South Asian immigrants "rats" and Islam a "terrorist group. " The race wasn’t just about local issues—it became a flashpoint for debates on immigration, religion, and whether Texas cities are changing too fast. Hill ran on unity, arguing Frisco’s diversity is its strength. His victory party had cowboy hats next to hijabs, and supporters wore matching "Unite Frisco" shirts. The crowd even sang "Amazing Grace" before he spoke. But Vilhauer’s campaign tapped into fears about Sharia law and mosque construction, even after apologizing for his harsh words.

This election mattered beyond Frisco. Over 33, 000 people voted—way more than usual for a small city race. The fight drew national attention, with some calling it a test for anti-Islam rhetoric in Texas politics. Even a U. S. senator shared a headline saying "Voters Reject Anti-Islam Candidate in Dallas Suburb. " Frisco’s population has exploded by 40% since the last open mayoral race. That growth meant more money poured into the campaign—over $1 million in 15 months. Hill, a lawyer and former school board member, never sat on the City Council, breaking a tradition where the last five mayors had council experience. Outgoing Mayor Jeff Cheney, who’s been in office for nearly a decade, supported Hill. Even Vilhauer’s backer on the council urged unity after the loss. Now, Hill faces the challenge of healing a city split by months of arguing over who belongs there.

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