By Madiha Masood
SUGAR LAND, TX — A steady rain may have soaked the sidewalks of Sugar Land on Friday, but it didn’t stop determined voters from heading to the polls as the city prepares for a high-stakes runoff election on June 7. With umbrellas in hand and civic duty in mind, residents cast their ballots in a mayoral race that will shape the future of one of Texas’s most diverse and fastest-growing cities.
The runoff was triggered after no candidate secured a majority in the May 4 general election. Current council members William Ferguson and Carol McCutcheon emerged as the top two contenders out of a crowded six-person field that included Naushad Kermally, Michelle Mikeska, Alex J. Sowell, and Sarwar Khan.
Ferguson, who currently holds the At-Large Position 1 seat on City Council, led the race with 35.92% of the vote. McCutcheon, representing District 4, followed closely with 28.57%. Both candidates gave up their current seats to pursue the mayor’s office, which is being vacated by term-limited Mayor Joe Zimmerman.
Despite the gloomy weather, voter spirits remained high at polling locations across the city. Volunteers handed out ponchos and hot drinks, and voters chatted cheerfully under shared umbrellas.
“Sugar Land is worth showing up for — even in the rain,” said longtime resident Maria Chen as she left the polls. “This election matters.”
Ferguson has made public safety, economic development, and post-election unity the cornerstones of his campaign.
“We’re a beautifully diverse city,” he said at a recent community event. “Now more than ever, we need to come together and move forward united.”
McCutcheon has emphasized a vision of growth with integrity, focusing on redevelopment, city bond projects, and inclusivity.
“I’ve worked hard to be accessible to everyone,” she said. “My goal is to ensure Sugar Land remains a welcoming home for all backgrounds.”
Also headed to runoff are two city council seats, with new candidates vying to fill the positions left open by Ferguson and McCutcheon’s mayoral bids.
Though Mayor Zimmerman briefly filed to return to the council, he withdrew earlier this year, signaling a full transition to new leadership across the board.
Early voting continues through June 4, and city officials are urging residents to stay informed, check polling locations, and make their voices heard — rain or shine.
As election day nears, one thing is certain: Sugar Land’s voters are showing up, proving once again that nothing—not even the rain—can wash away their commitment to democracy.
