Ann Anderson Narrowly Defeats Mark Piland in Frisco Council Special Election

Ann Anderson won the special election for Frisco City Council Place 1, edging out Mark Piland 4,052 to 3,946 in an unofficial tabulation that left the race separated by 106 votes. The narrow margin underscores how small turnout can determine local representation and influence decisions on city services, growth and public safety.

Frisco’s municipal tabulation, labeled an unofficial count and updated Jan. 31 at 10:25 p.m., shows Anderson received 50.66 percent of the 7,998 ballots tallied while Piland received 49.34 percent. The breakdown by voting method shows Anderson led on election day ballots with 2,262, and collected 1,714 early votes and 76 ballots by mail. Piland led in early voting with 2,094 early votes but trailed on election day with 1,814 and received 38 ballots by mail.

Turnout in the special election was low. Local reporting shows Collin County turnout at 5.37 percent and Denton County turnout at 6.92 percent. Frisco’s voter rolls list 78,929 registered voters in Collin County and 59,791 registered voters in Denton County. The municipal site presents the tabulation bilingually and emphasizes that reporting is not final until the council formally canvasses the results.

The Place 1 seat became available after Council Member John Keating announced a mayoral bid in October 2025. The special election winner will serve the remainder of the term through May 2027, and Keating will continue representing Place 1 until the new council member is sworn in. Frisco City Council scheduled a Special Called Meeting for Feb. 10, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. to canvass and formally certify the results.

Anderson ran on a platform that included support for police and fire services, improving city services, encouraging smart growth and strengthening regional partnerships. Anderson, a member of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce executive board and chair of Frisco’s Art and Culture Advisory Board, framed the close result as evidence of civic participation: “In every election, at every level, your voice carries weight. This special election showed that clearly. When you show up, you shape the future of our city.” Anderson also said the city should ensure inclusion, stating, “Every resident should feel included in the opportunities, resources and sense of belonging that make Frisco a place where people can thrive. Frisco is strongest when everyone feels seen, supported and valued.”

Piland, a former Frisco fire chief who retired in 2023, previously ran for the same council seat in 2024 and ran for mayor in 2023. Reporting summarized by KERA noted that public records obtained in 2023 led to an outside investigation alleging Piland ordered staff to alter a mayday report after a firefighter was injured in an apartment fire; no statement from Piland is included in the available reporting.

The special election outcome follows other local special elections, including a new council member elected in Plano, and precedes upcoming Collin County primary activity with early voting scheduled to begin Feb. 17. Residents seeking confirmation of the result should watch for the Feb. 10 canvass and for the council to announce the swearing-in date for the Place 1 winner.