This story was updated with comments from an April 15, 2025 candidate forum.
Three Irving city council seats are up for grabs on the May 3 ballot, with one incumbent running for reelection and two open seats — including a citywide position.
In District 1, incumbent city council member John Bloch is running for reelection. District 2 council member Brad LaMorgese is not running for reelection and District 7 council member Kyle Taylor has served three terms and cannot run again, so both of their seats are open.
District 2 is an at-large seat, meaning the entire city can vote for that position.
The last day to register to vote is April 3. Early voting starts April 22 and runs through the 29th.
KERA reached out to the candidates to ask about their top issues, and their responses are below. Here's a look at who's on the Irving City Council ballot.
Place 1 - District 1
John Bloch – incumbent
“I am the incumbent in District 1 for Irving City Council. I've been honored to serve in this position for the last three years. My family and I moved here 10 years ago, 11 years ago actually. Out of everywhere in the country, we chose to move here because we saw that this was the best place in the country to live, work, and raise a family. I'm running on a platform of protecting the integrity of our neighborhoods. Strong support for public safety, I am endorsed by the Fire Association and during my time on council, I've been a part of bringing down the vacancies by 75% in the police department. I'm pushing for a sustainable business development and holding developers to our standards and making sure we get the quality that we deserve in Irving for developments. And I'm committed to revitalizing the Heritage District. I've got a vision for what city-led redevelopment of the Heritage District could look like. I really appreciate your support. Go John Bloch.” - Bloch, League of Women Voters candidate forum opening statement
Occupation: Software Developer
Priorities:
- Protecting Integrity of Irving Neighborhoods
- Library policies for minors' sections
- Strengthen short-term rental regulations
- Develop and redevelop Heritage District
- Support Fire and Police Departments
Website: blochforirving.com
Tony Grimes
“I'm a small business owner here in Irving. I've served in this community for over 20 years as community leader with the Irving NAACP. I've been on the Police Advisory board for about 15 years and served on the Irving Independent School Board. I was also a recipient in 2019 of the Irving High Spirited Citizens Award because of my dedication to this community.” - Grimes, League of Women Voters candidate forum opening statement
Occupation: Photographer
Priorities:
- Keep Irving Safe
- Fix Streets and Sidewalks
- Manage Public Spending, reduce tax burden on seniors and homeowners
- Reduce homelessness and discourage panhandling
- Work to stop special interests and PACs from being louder than residents
Website: tonyforirving.com
Place 2 - District 2, At Large
Vicky Akinyi Oduk
“I'm a working mother of three, and a small family business owner offering moving and cleaning services. I serve in my community as a member of District Development Committee Irving Independent School District, Planning Committee, Illuminate Irving proud ambassador, Mosaic Family Services, and I'm also a member of West Irving Public Library. I'm a graduate of Public Affairs and Communications from the University of Nairobi, College of Extra Mural Studies. You know why I fell in love with the city of Irving? It's because of its diversity and inclusion, as well as its beauty. From the parks to the library, to the convention center, the mosques, the temples, downtown Heritage District, you name it. The city of Irving is a city where small businesses are supposed to thrive, while we also attract big investors. I believe the city of Irving deserves a leader who sets priorities, caters to all.” - Oduk, League of Women Voters candidate forum opening statement
Occupation: Small business owner
Priorities:
- Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
- Environmental Stewardship
- Economic Development
- Transparent and accountable government
- Capacity Building
David Pfaff
“I'm David Pfaff, a lifelong resident. I went to Brandenburg, went Travis, went MacArthur. And for the last 30 years I have grown and run a very successful company. Along the way, I served as the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities around here, coached my children's soccer team, and was a mentor for scouts attaining their Eagle. Now that my kids are grown and we're empty nesters, I'm ready to dedicate my full time to serve Irving. I have a very big agenda and it's called quality of life. I want to make sure our roads are great for us with no potholes. I want to make sure our police and fire and EMS are always supported and we always have response times, less than five minutes to help us out. I want to make sure our taxes stay low and we do great budgeting so no one, no one ever loses their house because their taxes are too high. And most importantly, my business development background, I want to have smart development in this city where none of us ever need to leave this city for a job, for retail, for restaurants, and, more importantly, family-friendly entertainment that we lost that I had when I grew up here as a kid. I've always worked hard my whole life and I'll work hard for you and I have the time to do it and the will to do it and I would like your support come election day.” - Pfaff, League of Women Voters candidate forum opening statement
Occupation: Retired
Priorities:
- Public Safety
- Improve roadways
- High-quality water infrastructure
- Support business and job growth
- Enhance quality of life in Irving
Website: pfaffforirving.com
Sergio Porres
“I moved here 11 years ago because Irving is a wonderful place, if not the best place, to raise a family. I'm a very busy person, I have a seventh child on the way, but I make this campaign a priority because I see Irving now at a crossroads. And it is time for our City Council to represent the will of the people and not the will of outside interests that see Irving as a pet project for them rather than a place that we call home.” - Porres, League of Women Voters candidate forum opening statement
Occupation: IT Consultant
Priorities:
- Stop casinos and billionaire special interests
- Consistent 4-person fire engine crews
- Aggressive code enforcement of high-density units
- Renegotiation of DART
- Maintain AAA credit rating with Moody's and S&P
Website: sergioforirving.com
Mark Zeske
Occupation: Educator
Zeske announced that he was no longer seeking the Place 2 seat in a Facebook post on March 26. However, because the last day to withdraw was on Feb. 21, his name will still be on the ballot.
In his post, Zeske told voters to choose another candidate.
Place 7 - District 7
Adam Muller
“I grew up in Irving, I live in Irving, and I raise a family in Irving. I met my wife at the University of Dallas. I'm running because I love this city and I want to give my best to ensure Irving’s future remains thriving. My public service started with teaching. I was an English teacher for 11 years, during which I was also a baseball and basketball coach at the YMCA. After that, I served on the Irving Public Library Board, where I was unanimously elected to be board chair. Finally, for the past seven years, I volunteered as the board president of Valor Public Schools, where I have developed the skills in strategic budgeting, finance, large contract negotiation, and commercial real estate development. All my priorities will be about making Irving the best place in North Texas to put down roots and raise a family.” - Muller, League of Women Voters candidate forum opening statement
Occupation: Software Architect
Priorities:
- Prioritizing single-family home construction
- Supporting first responders
- Renegotiating the DART contract
- Making city finances transparent for all
- Infrastructure investment
Priscilla Vigliante
“My husband and I are raising our son, Mateo, in South Irving, just south of 183. We've been there now close to 10 years. This is Mateo's home. And after he was born, I realized that this is where he will be growing up and if we were going to be there, I was going to do my part to make it better and that's exactly what I have done. I am the only candidate in this district race that has experience working hands-in-hand directly with our residents to make where we live a better place, and where we're raising our families. And apart from that, I have two years of being a Planning and Zoning Commissioner, where we have also championed for responsible growth and development. And so this election I would love your support, because our vote for Priscilla is going to be a vote for our neighborhoods first, but also for committed leadership for the citizens of Irving.” - Vigliante, League of Women Voters candidate forum opening statement
Occupation: Physician liaison
Priorities:
- Neighborhoods First
- Fiscal Responsibility
- Public Safety
- Economic Growth
Got a tip? Email Megan Cardona at mcardona@kera.org.
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