Anti-Islam candidate loses mayor’s race in Texas city torn over immigration

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Mark Hill won the mayoral runoff in Frisco, Texas, with about 58 percent of the vote, defeating Rod Vilhauer, who had campaigned using anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic rhetoric. Hill’s victory is seen as a pushback against divisive language amid the city’s rapid growth and demographic shifts, with promises to promote unity and reduce tensions related to cultural and religious diversity.

In a closely watched mayoral runoff in Frisco, Texas, voters chose Mark Hill, a conservative lawyer and former school board member, rejecting anti-Islamic rhetoric amid growing tensions over immigration and cultural change. Hill secured approximately 58 percent of the vote in the June 13 election in the rapidly expanding suburb north of Dallas, unofficial results showed.

Frisco, home to around 250,000 residents, has experienced significant population and economic growth in recent years, partly driven by an influx of South Asian immigrants arriving on specialized H-1B visas. This demographic shift has sparked heated debates at city council meetings, with some local and outside conservative voices expressing opposition to new religious institutions, including a proposed Hindu temple and a mosque. Critics have used inflammatory language, accusing immigrants of job displacement and cultural takeover, while some council sessions became sufficiently contentious that the outgoing mayor suspended public comments to restore civility.

Hill’s opponent, Rod Vilhauer, a retired construction company owner, had drawn national attention earlier in the campaign for his inflammatory remarks, including calls that immigrants were “rats” and assertions that Islam constitutes a “terrorist group.” Vilhauer’s rhetoric reflected broader trends within the Texas Republican Party, which recently adopted measures targeting sharia law—a set of Islamic religious precepts—at its state convention. These developments have fueled deep divisions within the community at a time when Frisco faces challenges of managing rapid growth and social cohesion.

In his victory statement, Hill emphasized unity and inclusion, stating that the city’s strength comes from all its residents. He pledged to “turn down the temperature” at city meetings and focus on governance rather than cultural conflicts. Vilhauer conceded the election and expressed willingness to support Hill’s leadership, while reiterating his alignment with concerns about the perceived threat of sharia law locally and statewide.

The election unfolded against the backdrop of a high-profile local murder trial involving racial tensions, which further polarized residents and attracted external activists promoting divisive narratives. The contest underscored Frisco’s ongoing struggle to balance its rapid transformation with social harmony.

Reactions to the election results were mixed. Supporters of Hill hailed the outcome as a rejection of hate and bigotry, while others expressed concern that Vilhauer still captured a significant portion of the vote. Community members called for respect toward all residents, urging compassion for those holding differing views and highlighting the need for the city to unite moving forward.

As Frisco continues to grow and diversify, the new mayor faces the task of bridging divisions and fostering an inclusive environment that accommodates all segments of the population.