Irving City Council Election Results
One at-large City Council contest in Irving is heading to a runoff after two other races — all flushed with spending from a “dark money” group — were narrowly decided, according to final unofficial vote returns tallied for the May 2 election.
Three City Council seats — District 1, District 2 and District 7 — were on the ballot in the Dallas suburb. Because no candidate won a majority in the at-large District 2 race, which is open to all voters citywide, the race is headed to a runoff scheduled for June 7.
Election Background
Discussions throughout the election were animated by debates over a proposed “destination resort” from casino giant Las Vegas Sands Corp. — a plan that drew hundreds of opponents to City Hall earlier this year and shaped some of the candidates’ campaign stump speeches.
The outgoing District 2 City Council member, Brad LaMorgese, did not run for reelection. Four names were on the ballot, though one of the candidates announced he was no longer seeking the position — a decision came after the withdrawal deadline.
Candidates and Their Platforms
Candidates David Pfaff, a retired business owner and past chairman of the Irving Chamber of Commerce, and Sergio Porres, an IT consultant who has been one of the most vocal opponents of the Sands Corp. proposal, received the most votes in the race, at 47% and 45%, respectively.
Vicky Akinyi Oduk, a third candidate in the District 2 race who garnered 5% of the vote, endorsed Porres in a video posted to social media and linked on Porres’ campaign website.
“So from today, I’m going to back you up in your race,” Oduk said while standing beside Porres in the video. She added that part of her reason for endorsing him was because he was running a “people-driven” campaign that aligned with many of her values and goals as a candidate.
The Sands Corp. Proposal
The Sands Corp. proposal itself was not on the ballot, but campaign messaging often cast the election as one that could determine whether the casino giant’s plan for land it purchased near the former Texas Stadium site would move forward.
In March, after critics twice crowded into City Hall to oppose a proposed zoning ordinance for the project Sands Corp. requested the City Council strip the gambling portion of its proposal. The amended ordinance then passed in two separate 6-3 votes.
Other City Council Races
John Bloch, the one-term incumbent representing District 1, sought a second term and fended off a second challenge from Tony Grimes, a former Irving ISD school board trustee.
Bloch won over Grimes, netting 51% over Grimes’ 48% — a margin of 41 votes, according to final unofficial returns.
District 7 City Council member Kyle Taylor has served three terms, which is the term limit in the city’s charter. Two candidates — Adam Muller and Priscilla Vigliante — ran for the seat.
Muller bested Vigliante, earning 51% over her 49% — a margin of 49 votes, according to final unofficial returns.
Supporting Groups and Their Influence
Bloch and Muller were backed by Families for Irving, a political action committee that had supported four of the nine current City Council members and that, according to its website, seeks to make the city “the best place in America to raise a family.”
A group called Lone Star Conservative Action Fund supported Grimes and Vigliante. Critics have described the group as a “dark money” group, a type of organization that can legally engage in campaign activity without disclosing its funding sources.
As of the last two campaign finance filings before the election, Lone Star Conservative Action Fund had spent more than $160,000 supporting Grimes, Vigliante and Pfaff, according to state financial disclosures filed by the group and reviewed by The Dallas Morning News.
The group primarily paid for campaign advertising, including the design, production and installation of candidate signs, the filings say.
While Families for Irving hasn’t taken an official position on the Sands Corp. proposal, some of the candidates it endorsed have. In a statement, James Bell, the group’s political director, described the May 3 election results as a success, especially considering their candidates were outspent.
Conclusion
The Irving City Council election results have significant implications for the city’s future, particularly with regards to the proposed Sands Corp. resort. The runoff election in June will be closely watched, and the outcome could determine the fate of the project.
The influence of supporting groups, including Families for Irving and Lone Star Conservative Action Fund, has also been a major factor in the election. The role of these groups in shaping the outcome of the election and their potential impact on future city decisions will be important to monitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the proposed Sands Corp. resort, and why is it controversial?
A: The proposed Sands Corp. resort is a “destination resort” planned for land near the former Texas Stadium site. The project has drawn opposition from hundreds of residents who are concerned about its potential impact on the city.
Q: What is the significance of the June runoff election?
A: The June runoff election will determine the winner of the at-large District 2 City Council seat, which could have a significant impact on the fate of the proposed Sands Corp. resort.
Q: What is a “dark money” group, and how did it influence the election?
A: A “dark money” group is a type of organization that can engage in campaign activity without disclosing its funding sources. The Lone Star Conservative Action Fund, a “dark money” group, spent over $160,000 supporting certain candidates in the election.
