I was born in Irving in 1970. I’ve spent my life here — raising a family, running a business, giving back to the city that shaped me. I never thought I would run for office. But when I saw how our city was being hijacked by fear and fringe agendas, I knew I had to step up.
Irving is too important. The future of this city — our city — is on the ballot.
1️⃣ Let’s be honest: Casino fear is a false issue.
Casinos have been illegal in Texas since 1903. There is no serious effort to change that. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and the conservative Texas Senate have made it clear: they won’t move casino legislation forward.
And even if that ever changed, Irving voters — not Council — would decide through a public vote. I am personally a no on casinos. It’s time to stop the distraction.
We should be focused on what really matters to families in Irving — not manufactured fear.
2️⃣ What matters: Roads. Safety. Quality of life. Protecting your tax dollars.
I want an Irving where families don’t have to leave the city for good restaurants, shops, or jobs. Where kids can grow up safe. Where seniors aren’t taxed out of their homes. Where our streets are maintained — not patched and ignored.
Our roads must be funded. We can’t afford a Council that kicks the can down the road — literally and figuratively.
Public safety must be fully supported. I’m honored to be endorsed by Irving’s Police and Fire Associations — because they know I will stand with them to keep Irving safe.
And yes — we have to be vigilant about property taxes. While some of this is controlled at the state level, I will fight for reforms that help Irving families. Locally, I will always work to keep your tax dollars spent wisely and your taxes as low as possible.
3️⃣ Why experience — and leadership — matter more than ever.
Irving is a city of 260,000 people with a budget approaching a billion dollars. These decisions aren’t small. Council members don’t just vote on local items — they represent Irving in regional and state forums where key decisions are shaped. It takes time, attention, and real leadership.
I spent 27 years running a successful Irving business. I’ve chaired civic organizations, managed large budgets, and built coalitions. I’m retired now, and an empty nester — which means I can dedicate my full time and focus to this role.
My opponent? He has never run a business, never managed a large budget, never led in this city. He is backed by PACs with an agenda to take over Irving’s Council and implement their fringe policy goals. This is not speculation — it is clearly reflected in their own statements and communications.
He also has seven young children under 12 — a wonderful family, but this role requires more time and focus than he can give. City business doesn’t stop when you leave Council chambers. It requires deep work — in the community, across the region, at the state level. Irving deserves full-time leadership.
A simple truth: If we do not vote — Irving’s Council may fall into the hands of a fringe group with a narrow, extreme agenda.
This election is about more than casinos or culture wars. It’s about the future of Irving. It’s about us — our families, our neighborhoods, our quality of life.
I am running because I love this city — because I was raised here, raised my children here, and want Irving to thrive for the next generation.
I’ve stood up for our community when it mattered — in support of our schools, Scouts, first responders, and local charities. I have never taken a dime from a PAC or dark-money group. I will serve every resident — Republican, Democrat, Independent — with honesty and integrity.
But I can’t do it alone. If we want to keep Irving a city of opportunity — not a city controlled by a fringe political movement — then we must vote. Every vote will matter.
Together, we can choose leadership that works for Irving — for all of us. And with the right leadership, Irving’s best days are still ahead.
About the author:
David Pfaff was born and raised in Irving. He is a retired 27-year business owner, holds an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin, is a civic leader, and a candidate for Irving City Council Place 2. He has served as Chairman of the Irving Chamber of Commerce, co-founded the Irving Kids Charity Golf Tournament, mentored Scouts, and is a longtime supporter of Irving’s schools, police, fire, and community organizations. His mother helped found the Irving Schools Foundation, and the Pfaff family has a long history of service to the city of Irving.
The Place 2 runoff between David Pfaff and Sergio Porres is set for Saturday, June 7.