By: I. Abigail Sosa
At the 2025 Fort Bend Candidate Forum, held April 26 at the University of Houston at Sugar Land, a question about the war in Gaza sparked one of the most impassioned moments of the evening. As several candidates vying to become the next mayor of Sugar Land took the stage, the conversation shifted from infrastructure and business to the emotional crossroads of global justice and local government.
Though the forum covered many local issues—including drainage, economic development, and city services—it was the Gaza ceasefire question that drew a sharp divide in leadership philosophy: Should local officials take public stances on international human rights issues that impact their residents?
A Question of Global Solidarity
Candidates were asked directly: Would you be willing to support introducing and voting for a ceasefire resolution if elected?
Michelle Mikeska was unequivocal:
“Absolutely, yeah. Our world is getting smaller and more interconnected, and a leader needs to be able to say something about atrocities that are going on around the world—especially if it’s affecting their residents. Even if they don’t vote—we need concern for people who are suffering. A leader must lead with empathy. That is rule number one.”
William Ferguson took a firm stance in the opposite direction, emphasizing a strict interpretation of local duty:
“I am responsible as your City Council member and as your future mayor to every single person that is a resident of this city. That is my lane. My lane is your police, fire, EMS, sewer, fresh water, mobility. I stay in my lane. I may have personal views… but my platform should not be used to support any opinion—special interest or otherwise—outside of this city.”
Carol McCutcheon echoed that caution and stressed the risk of setting a precedent:
“If your house is broken into, if your house is on fire, if you have a heart attack—we’re sending Sugar Land emergency responders to you. We don’t have any control over international affairs. If we give a resolution for one situation, we’re really opening up a floodgate. Unfortunately, there’s a very large number of situations across the world that could warrant a resolution.”
A Personal Toll on Leadership
Naushad Kermally, who has served on Sugar Land City Council and identifies as Muslim, offered a deeply personal reflection. His response revealed the complex tension between personal conviction, community expectation, and elected responsibility.
“In all of the United States with the large Muslim population—with being a Muslim myself—unfortunately, I cannot put out a resolution. I represent you, the people. You pay U.S. tax dollars to spend your money wisely. I empathize with what happened in India as well. But it’s not about me—it’s about all of us. And it’s the world that we live in today.”
His statement was met with silence, followed by nods and murmurs of recognition from parts of the audience—many of whom represented multicultural communities with direct ties to international crises.
Forum Context: A Local Election, Global Stakes
Held in Brazos Hall and organized by a broad coalition of civic partners—including EMGAGE, BakerRipley, the League of Women Voters, OCA Greater Houston, SAAVE TX Education Fund, and Pakistani American Voters Association—the event brought together candidates for mayor, school board, and city council. While most questions focused on day-to-day governance, the Gaza resolution moment was a reminder that voters today expect more than just infrastructure plans—they want to understand the moral compass of those they elect.
The forum’s neutral format allowed for respectful disagreement, but the question revealed fault lines among candidates in how they define leadership. For multicultural voters—many of whom have lived experience with injustice both local and global—the answers may carry significant weight at the polls.
Looking Ahead
As Sugar Land’s electorate becomes increasingly diverse, the expectations for elected leaders are evolving. It’s no longer just about what happens on city blocks—it’s also about how local government responds to the world outside.
Election Day is May 3. Early voting is underway. For polling information, visit FortBendVotes.org.
