Arlington’s Term Change and Frisco’s Rise Highlight Texas Mayor Votes Before Senate Special

Arlington’s term‑length change and Frisco’s rapid rise shape Saturday’s mayoral races, while a Texas Senate special election looms.

Four Texas cities among the nation’s 100 largest hold mayoral elections Saturday. The races are officially nonpartisan, meaning candidates do not run under a party label. A candidate must win more than half the vote; otherwise the top two advance to a runoff on June 13. Voters will also decide a State Senate special election for District 4.

Arlington voters approved Proposition A in 2022, changing the mayoral term from two to three years while keeping a three‑term limit. Incumbent Jim Ross, serving his second three‑year term, faces challenger Steve Cavender among four candidates. Frisco’s population moved from the 120th largest city after the 2020 Census to 97th by 2024, reflecting steady growth. Mayor Jeff Cheney is completing his third three‑year term, the maximum allowed, and four candidates are on the ballot. In 2022, Republican Brandon Creighton won reelection to the Texas Senate with a 70‑to‑30 percent vote margin; he resigned last October to become chancellor at Texas Tech, triggering the special election where Republican Brett Ligon and Democrat Ron Angeletti will compete.

The term‑length shift in Arlington may stabilize leadership but also limit turnover as incumbents can serve up to nine years. Frisco’s rise into the top 100 cities brings increased demand for housing, infrastructure, and services, which the next mayor will need to address. The Senate special election will test whether the Republican hold on District 4 persists after Creighton’s departure, with a 70‑30 baseline from 2022. Voters should watch for any mayoral runoffs on June 13 and the November outcome of the Senate race, which could influence the chamber’s partisan balance.