The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Texas), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and CAIR Action Texas today said “hate is not a winning strategy” after a Texas mayoral candidate whose campaign was marked by anti-Muslim rhetoric was defeated in the runoff election for mayor of Frisco, Texas.
Reports indicate that candidate Rod Vilhauer, who had generated controversy over comments targeting the city’s Muslim community, lost the race to Mark Hill.
The New York Times reports: “The nonpartisan race was one of the earliest tests of whether attacks on Islam, increasingly prevalent among Republican politicians and primary candidates this year, would be effective with a broader set of voters.
Mr. Hill’s victory could dampen the enthusiasm among Republican candidates for such messages in general election contests, particularly in places like the suburbs of Dallas that are home to large numbers of Muslim and South Asian residents.”
SEE: Voters Reject Anti-Islam Candidate in Mayoral Race in Dallas Suburb – New York Times
SEE ALSO: Frisco elects new mayor in runoff race that mirrored divisions over Muslim residents – KERA
Frisco voters reject anti-Muslim, immigrant rhetoric as Vilhauer falls in mayoral race – Dallas Observer
In a joint statement, CAIR-Texas and CAIR Action Texas said:
“The defeat of a candidate who sought to divide voters through anti-Muslim rhetoric sends a clear message that hate and fear-mongering do not represent the values of most Texans or Americans. While anti-Muslim extremists have attempted to normalize bigotry and conspiracy theories about Islam and Muslim communities, Frisco voters demonstrated that the effort to scapegoat religious minorities is not a winning strategy. Hate lost, and the principles of inclusion, equal citizenship, and mutual respect prevailed.
“We congratulate all those community leaders, faith organizations, civic groups, and residents who rejected division and stood up for the rights and dignity of all members of their community. At a time when anti-Muslim rhetoric by public officials has reached alarming levels nationwide, this election result offers hope that Americans of all backgrounds can unite against prejudice and extremism.”
Last month, CAIR-Texas joined with a number of Dallas–Fort Worth Muslim organizations in calling for an end to the hateful rhetoric and fear-mongering by some Texas politicians.
Also last month, CAIR-Texas and Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy held a joint public safety press conference to address the national and local rise in anti-Muslim hate incidents.
CAIR recently commended Democratic members of Congress who defended American Muslims and constitutional religious freedom during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on “Sharia law.” CAIR also condemned Republican members and witnesses for promoting anti-Muslim fearmongering and dangerous smear tactics amid rising anti-Muslim hate incidents nationwide.
The civil rights organization noted that its latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
The Center for the Study of Organized Hate issued a report showing an approximately 1,450 percent increase in anti-Muslim extremist rhetoric by public officials in the 15 months after February 2025, warning that many such statements satisfy criteria for speech likely to inspire violence.
After the deadly terror attack on the San Diego mosque, CAIR is also calling on Muslim community leaders to utilize its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” bookletto help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to all houses of worship.
CAIR Texas’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, CAIR Texas does not endorse or oppose candidates for office and makes no claims as to the favorability of one candidate being elected over another.
La misión de CAIR Texas es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
CAIR Action is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization dedicated to engaging, educating, and mobilizing Muslim voters, training emerging leaders, and advancing policy priorities that improve community well-being and representation.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Texas DFW Chapter Executive Director, 469-998-2247, mcarroll@cair.com; CAIR-Texas Civic Engagement Organizer Sameeha Rizvi, 512-893-1371, srizvi@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com