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Residents urge campaign contribution caps, complain about aggressive campaign tactics in Irving
Summary
A resident presented a draft ordinance to cap campaign contributions for city elections and urged limits on out‑of‑state donations; another resident complained about door‑to‑door solicitation and read the city's Code of Fair Campaign Practices at the council meeting.
At the May 29 Irving City Council meeting, Cynthia Sharp distributed a draft ordinance she said would define campaign contributions and set caps on personal and PAC contributions in city elections.
"Right now, without caps, local residents are prohibited from running for any local office unless they spend thousands or are backed by a pack," Sharp said, adding she based her draft on research of Dallas, Carrollton, Flower Mound and materials from the Texas Secretary of State. She told council members she would be available for follow-up.
Separately, Colvin Gibson, a resident of Hackberry Creek, described an encounter in which two door-knockers allegedly delivered campaign literature and made "inflammatory remarks," which Gibson said violated the neighborhood's no-solicitation rules. He told the council he reported the incident to Hackberry Creek security, Las Colinas Security and the Irving Police Department. Gibson read portions of the city's Code of Fair Campaign Practices that were posted on the city's website and noted it was signed by Mr. Porras (as printed in the material he cited).
What was raised: Sharp asked the council to consider campaign finance limits and caps, and said she was also interested in a limit on the percentage of out-of-state contributions but said she had not found suitable language for such a provision. Gibson recounted his complaint about in‑person solicitation and emphasized adherence to the city's posted code of fair campaign practices.
Discussion vs. action: Neither Sharp's draft ordinance nor Gibson's complaint resulted in a motion or vote during the meeting; Sharp said she was available to provide further information if council members asked.
Clarifying details: Sharp said she modeled her draft ordinance on other Texas municipalities. Gibson provided that he had contacted the Irving Police Department and private community security providers and read several clauses from the city's Code of Fair Campaign Practices.
Next steps: The transcript records no staff follow-up commitments or motions to refer the draft ordinance to staff or to the city attorney. Both speakers offered to provide more information or pursue other channels outside the meeting.
