David Pfaff has emerged victorious in the runoff election for an at-large City Council seat in Irving, capturing significant attention due to the high stakes surrounding the race. The unofficial final returns show Pfaff winning against political newcomer Sergio Porres, despite heavy spending from outside groups.
Pfaff, a retired business owner and former chamber of commerce chairman known for his skepticism regarding the legalization of gambling in Texas, garnered 53% of the vote, while Porres, an IT consultant who campaigned primarily against the Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s casino resort proposal, received 47%.
At his victory celebration held at the Las Colinas Country Club, Pfaff expressed gratitude for the support he received, especially from volunteers and the Irving Professional Fire Fighters Association. “I didn’t feel like I was ever alone,” he remarked.
The vote margin between Pfaff and Porres expanded throughout the night, concluding with Pfaff leading by more than 500 votes after the final ballots were tallied. Initial returns indicated a narrower lead of about 160 votes for Pfaff.
On the other side, Porres attended a watch party hosted by an editor for Blaze Media, a conservative news outlet, although reporters were not permitted to attend. Following the election, Porres released a statement emphasizing that while he did not win the seat, the coalition supporting him would continue to oppose casino interests in Irving.
The competitive runoff in District 2 was influenced by the Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s proposed “destination resort,” which has stirred intense community debate. The company sought a zoning amendment involving gambling provisions, prompting significant public opposition during city meetings.
In response to community pushback, the casino giant eventually requested the removal of gambling from its proposal, which subsequently passed in two separate 6-3 votes at City Hall.
Miriam Adelson, whose family controls the Las Vegas Sands casinos, has been a significant contributor to political campaigns aimed at legalizing gambling in Texas. Despite her efforts, attempts to push gambling legislation through the Texas Legislature have not yet resulted in success.
The recent election was framed not only as a City Council race but one with ramifications for the future of gambling in Texas. Outgoing District 2 council member Brad LaMorgese did not seek reelection, which shifted the dynamic ahead of the May election.
In the previous election round, Pfaff secured 47% of the vote, followed closely by Porres at 45%, with a third candidate, Vicky Akinyi Oduk, gaining 5%. Pfaff benefited from endorsements by local organizations, including the Irving Professional Fire Fighters Association and the Irving Police Association, while Porres found support from Oduk and Families for Irving, a PAC that advocates for specific City Council members.
Porres raised significant financial backing in the run-up to the runoff, accumulating nearly $110,000 in contributions from April to May. Notably, more than half of this amount, $65,000, originated from political action committees affiliated with oil and gas billionaires Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, enhancing his campaign’s capacity to oppose gambling interests.
Meanwhile, Pfaff’s campaign did not welcome contributions from certain outside groups, despite receiving substantial support from the Lone Star Conservative Action Fund, which is not required to disclose its donors. This group spent over $160,000 on campaign-related materials for Pfaff, positioning him as a candidate opposing the Sands proposal.
Even though Pfaff indicated a lack of awareness about the fund’s existence, the connections raised questions regarding the influence of external entities on local elections. Notably, a phone number associated with the Lone Star Conservative Action Fund appears in lobbying disclosures linked to the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.
Prior to the election, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility reported expenditures exceeding $150,000 in support of Porres and two other candidates in different Texas elections. This entity has historical ties to Empower Texans, a political group once backed by Dunn and Wilks.
As the community awaits a final analysis of spending and implications from the latest City Council election, one thing is clear: the debate over gambling in Irving remains a hot-button issue, as exemplified by the intense competition between Pfaff and Porres. The local political landscape has been irrevocably shaped by the divisive casino proposal and the ongoing struggle to align city values with economic ambitions.
As Pfaff begins his term, the focus will now turn to how he and the new council will navigate these contentious issues, particularly in light of the casino debate that has mobilized residents and political groups alike.
image source from：https://www.dallasnews.com/news/elections/2025/06/07/irving-runoff-to-cap-costly-race-shaped-by-casino-plans-special-interest-groups/
