Local lawyer urges revising Irving ethics code and warns of heavy PAC spending in city races

Susan Motley, a 36‑year Irving resident and attorney, urged the Irving City Council on May 1 to consider revising the city's ethics code in response to intense campaign spending and aggressive tactics she characterized as "scorched earth politics."

Motley said a local political action committee had spent more than $120,000 in an effort to influence city races and described campaign communications she said had the effect of escalating attacks. "This is scorched earth politics at its worst and we don't need it," she said, adding that the level of spending in the current city races — she cited a projected total exceeding $300,000 for certain places — was inappropriate for municipal contests.

Motley asked council members to amend the Irving ethics code to reduce the influence of outside spending and suggested that candidates who have leftover campaign funds give them to local nonprofits such as Irving Cares. She also referenced campaign material and social media messaging that she said framed the election as "an epic battle in Irving."

Her remarks were delivered during the meeting's public comment period; the city did not deliberate on the matter during that time. Motley said she had raised related concerns at prior meetings and urged council action ahead of the election season.