U.S. Rep. Keith Self said McKinney residents are fighting back after years of feeling ignored by City Hall, praising the citizens behind a recall campaign targeting the mayor and three council members.
“The citizens basically said, ‘Enough. You didn’t listen to us on this issue, this issue, this issue,’” Self told host Sarah Zubiate-Bennett in a newly released Let’s Talk Local segment. “We’ve had enough.”
“This is how bullies and tyrants are taken down,” Self said. “I’m applauding the McKinney citizens who started the recall effort, if for no other reason, to start to shine light on what’s happening.”
Recall reflects broader frustration
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Self signed the recall petition August 16. Recall organizers have said the campaign reflects broader disputes involving spending, transparency, growth, infrastructure and whether city leaders listen to residents. Self described a “litany” of concerns and specifically cited the airport, bypass and parking garage.
“I don’t know if it will be successful or not, but I do know they’ve already made the statement that the citizens are unhappy with their elected officials,” Self said.
The initiating affidavit targets Mayor Bill Cox, At Large 1 Council Member Ernest Lynch, District 3 Council Member Geré Feltus and District 1 Council Member Justin Beller. It states one ground: “A loss of public confidence in the ability of the officers named herein to faithfully represent the citizens of the City of McKinney.” The filing does not identify the mosque, Islam or any specific council vote as the formal ground for removal.
The campaign began one week after the City Council voted 7-0 to approve the McKinney Islamic Association’s revised site plan. City staff found the three-building proposal compliant with the property’s existing zoning and development requirements.
Self also pointed to McKinney National Airport as another source of frustration. McKinney voters rejected a $200 million airport bond in May 2023. City officials later advanced a smaller passenger terminal using alternative financing.
Recall organizers must submit 5,805 valid signatures from registered McKinney voters by 5 p.m. September 26 to advance the effort.
Self criticizes former mayor
Self also criticized former McKinney Mayor George Fuller, comparing his continuing influence to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Fuller, who served as mayor from 2017 to 2025, now sits on the McKinney Community Development Corp. board, according to city board records.
“I compare him to Vladimir Putin in Russia,” Self said, calling Fuller “very much the leader of the opposition” and likening him to “Vladimir Putin tactically stepping down but maintaining the power behind the throne.”
Self then objected to Fuller’s earlier remarks about public access to completed recall petitions. Asked whether Fuller had said signers’ names and addresses would become public records and that residents should stand behind their decision, Self replied, “Absolutely. In writing as well. It’s a threat.”
An August report by The Dallas Express detailed Fuller’s statement that completed petitions could make signers’ names and addresses available for lawful disclosure and that their signatures “will not exist in some private vacuum.” Fuller wrote, “If you put your name behind an effort to remove elected officials for following the law, be prepared to stand publicly behind your decision and be accountable for the consequences it has for this community.” His post identified the five petition committee members but did not publish their home addresses.
Fuller later told The Dallas Express that he opposed threats and retaliation against petition signers but considered public criticism fair. “No. I do not believe anyone should be threatened, harassed, intimidated, or subjected to professional retaliation for signing a petition,” Fuller said. “At the same time, participation in the political process does not mean freedom from criticism or public disagreement.”
Fuller said the consequences he meant included financial and operational effects on McKinney residents. “So beyond the political rhetoric surrounding this recall, there are very real financial and operational consequences for McKinney residents that I believe deserve to be part of the discussion,” he said.
In a separate development, The Dallas Express reported that a TikTok video urged recall opponents to submit fake volunteer sign-ups, consume petition circulators’ time and pressure businesses that provided locations for petition activity. The Dallas Express has not established any connection between Fuller and the video or the alleged interference.
Watch the full episode for Self’s complete remarks on the recall campaign, Fuller’s role, the airport dispute, the McKinney mosque controversy, Sharia law and religious liberty.
Provided by Dallas Express
