The race for Plano's mayor is heating up with apartments driving much of the debate.
Tuesday is the last day to early vote. Turnout overall is expected to far exceed Plano’s previous mayoral race.
As of Monday night, 14,363 early ballots had been cast, according to the Collin County Elections Department, about 2,500 shy of the total ballots cast in the 2013 election.
There’s one issue, in particular, driving people to the polls: Apartments.
Incumbent Harry LaRosiliere is in a contentious race against three candidates for mayor, each with a strong stance on the more than 1500 apartments under construction in Plano.
“What I want people to know is that Plano is growing into the city that was planned out years and years ago,” said Mayor LaRosiliere.
Critics believe more apartments will drive more traffic to an already congested city, and strain schools and emergency responders.
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The argument is in bold face outside polls by candidate Douglas Reeves whose campaign signs read “Don't Dallas My Plano."
Candidate Lily Bao she says she'll slow apartment development if elected.
She's backed by a grassroots effort angling to oust LaRosiliere.
Last week, a photo of a cut-up campaign sign was posted to Bao’s Facebook page with the caption, “Another day, another act of dirty campaigning by my opponents.”
Bao says, “We are not going to let those incidents affect us and I hope those, whoever did that, they will come to know our campaign, know me as a candidate and will come on board after we are elected."
Not all candidates are in the opposite corner when it comes to apartments.
Bill Lisle tells NBC 5 he believes apartments are the solution to allow Plano to grow and be productive across the board.
Early voting ends Tuesday at 7pm. Election Day is Saturday, May 6.
