David Pfaff triumphed in a hotly contested runoff election for the Irving City Council on Saturday, defeating challenger Sergio Porres with a narrow margin of 52.74%, translating to just 580 votes.
According to the official election night report, Pfaff garnered 5,591 votes compared to Porres’ 5,011, showing an improvement from their initial May 3 general election tally, where Pfaff received 5,230 votes against Porres’ 4,987.
Both candidates managed to attract more supporters during the runoff campaign, but Pfaff was ultimately able to secure a more substantial lead.
The election had significant implications for local governance, particularly concerning the city’s ongoing debate over casino development.
At a party for Porres’ supporters, who were barred from media access except for The Dallas Express, attorney Cliff Riley, a close ally of the Families for Irving PAC that backed Porres, remarked on how Porres’ candidacy galvanized opposition to casino growth, which he believes also benefited other candidates such as John Bloch and Adam Muller, who secured victories in their respective races earlier this month.
Riley compared Porres’ campaign to former State Senator Don Huffines’ 2022 challenge against Governor Greg Abbott, asserting that Porres was effectively shifting the political landscape.
He pointed out Pfaff’s inclusion of an anti-casino stance in his campaign materials, labeling the casino issue “toxic” in the current political climate.
“We’ve won a big battle,” Riley stated. “Sergio made [the casino issue] utterly toxic for the other side.”
Riley added that the diverse coalition Porres built was crucial, acknowledging support from various groups, including Muslim communities that had felt alienated from Irving’s political elite.
During the watch party, Porres took time to express gratitude to former opponents who endorsed him post-May election, including Vicky Oduk and Elena Blake, president of the Irving Republican Women.
Reflecting on the campaign’s accomplishments, Porres stated, “We have done a really incredible thing.”
Porres remained optimistic about his political future, suggesting that the results set the stage for a potential future rematch.
“This was a warm-up fight,” he remarked. “We are going to be unstoppable.”
He also highlighted demographic shifts in Irving, emphasizing that the city’s growing Catholic and Muslim populations, characterized by large family units, align on fundamental cultural issues and are increasingly dissatisfied with the status quo.
“The demographics are on our side,” Porres concluded.
Meanwhile, Pfaff celebrated his victory in a video posted to his campaign’s Facebook page shortly after the election results were confirmed. He is seen beaming as he approaches a projector screen displaying the vote counts and embraces his supporters. The caption accompanying the post reads: “THANK YOU, IRVING!”
Pfaff’s election concludes an intense campaign period centered heavily around the divisive casino issue, which has occupied a prominent role in local discussions, even after an attempt at rezoning was officially retracted.
Support for Pfaff came from the Lone Star Conservative Action Fund, associated with Las Vegas Sands, which invested nearly $200,000 in support of his campaign, along with others. However, Pfaff distinctly separated himself from the group, asserting in a video, “I cannot be bought.”
In contrast, Porres mounted a vigorous campaign against casino development, frequently questioning the ongoing involvement of casino-related groups in local races if the matter was truly resolved.
The election highlighted shifting dynamics within the Muslim community of Irving. While CAIR Action Texas had initially endorsed Pfaff, it later withdrew that support as other Muslim civic organizations coalesced around Porres, leading to the creation of the Irving Muslims PAC that endorsed him exclusively.
With Pfaff’s victory in the runoff, he will assume the Place 2 seat on the Irving City Council, previously held by Brad LaMorgese who chose not to seek reelection.
This outcome results in a city council characterized by a complex mix of pro- and anti-casino perspectives, although the momentum seems to remain with casino opponents — a movement that Porres has significantly influenced even in his defeat.
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