U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) drew criticism from Republicans after sharing a social media post about Frisco’s mayoral runoff, reigniting debate over immigration, Sharia law, and the changing politics of North Texas.
“Voters Reject Anti-Islam Candidate in Mayoral Race in Dallas Suburb,” Cornyn wrote on X, linking to coverage of the Frisco election.
Frisco voters elected Mark Hill as their next mayor Saturday, giving the former Frisco ISD board president a decisive runoff victory over businessman Rod Vilhauer, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Hill won 58.12% of the vote, compared to Vilhauer’s 41.88%, according to unofficial results reported with all precincts counted.
The race drew attention across North Texas as Frisco continues to experience rapid growth and demographic change. The city has been at the center of debates surrounding immigration, H-1B visa workers, economic development, religious development, and cultural issues.
Hill also received the endorsement of the American Hindu Coalition during the campaign, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
In announcing its endorsement, the organization stated that it “proudly endorses Mark Hill for Mayor of Frisco TX in the 2026 election.”
“We call upon Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and broader South-East Asian American communities to unite and participate in strong numbers in this important statewide election,” the group stated.
Republicans Push Back
Cornyn’s post prompted criticism from Republicans who argued that concerns about immigration, foreign influence, and Sharia law remain legitimate issues for Texas voters.
“Yes, mass migration – something you’ve supported your entire career – fundamentally changes American communities. Remind me again, who else did voters recently reject?” U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) wrote on X.
Gill’s comment appeared to reference Cornyn’s own recent defeat in the Republican U.S. Senate runoff, when Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated the four-term senator, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Wade Miller, executive director of the Center for Renewing America, also questioned Cornyn’s position.
“John Cornyn… pro-Islam?” Miller wrote on X.
Vilhauer made concerns about Sharia law and immigration central themes of his campaign, an issue that entered the Frisco mayoral race before the runoff, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
“When it comes to people of Sharia that govern themselves, they are not welcome here,” Vilhauer said during a Frisco Chamber of Commerce forum, according to KERA News.
“I will never welcome them here. We’re going to fight that.”
Cornyn Reposts GOP Criticism
Cornyn later reposted commentary from writer Eric Michael Garcia, who criticized Republicans over rhetoric involving Pakistanis and South Asians in Texas.
“Seeing Republicans go all-in against Pakistanis in Texas is curious,” Garcia wrote.
“Pakistanis and South Asians as a whole in Texas are open to voting Republican. They help grow the economy by working good jobs. But the GOP in Texas went all-in on Islamophobia,” Garcia added.
The debate also followed the 2026 Texas Republican Convention, where Sharia law became part of the party’s legislative-priority discussion.
Delegates adopted “Don’t Sharia Texas” as one of the party’s legislative priorities, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
The priority states that Sharia is “an incompatible, seditious, subversive, competing enemy of the Texas and U.S. Constitutions” and calls for criminal penalties for its advocacy or implementation.
Cornyn’s social media activity has led some Republican critics to question whether the senator’s views align with the priorities adopted by grassroots Republican delegates.
The Dallas Express reached out to Cornyn for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
