Irving Councilman's FB Rant Alleges Muslim Vote Grab

Yahoo

28-05-2025

A caustic Facebook post by Irving Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Webb has sparked a political firestorm ahead of a contentious city council meeting set for Thursday.
In a lengthy May 26 post, Webb attacked fellow Councilmember Luis Canosa and accused him and two other members — John Bloch and newly elected Adam Mueller — of pushing a trio of resolutions for political gain, particularly to sway Muslim voters. Webb called Canosa 'worthless' and said the resolutions were part of a ploy to consolidate power within the city council.
'These request to put on the Agenda for our May 29th meeting was submited by none other than Louis Canosa,' Webb wrote. 'To him this is all a game to get the PAC POWER!'
Webb later added, 'The Cease Fire resolution is only a ploy to get Muslim votes!'
In a statement to The Dallas Express, Canosa dismissed Webb's remarks as 'petty' and retaliatory.
'Councilmember Webb—colloquially known as 'Mr. Shakespeare,' since he can't even write with proper grammar in the English language—is once again finding a last-minute excuse to break another promise he made to his constituents,' Canosa said. 'He repeatedly vowed to be the tie-breaking vote that would pass this resolution. But now, he's clinging to a petty reason to go back on his word.'
Canosa defended the proposed resolution supporting President Donald Trump's call for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying it was in response to requests from Catholic and Muslim constituents.
'As a Catholic, I listen to Pope Leo XIV, who in his first address called for an end to the humanitarian crisis and for peace in the Holy Land,' Canosa said. 'I also stand with our President—whom I support as a conservative—as he has called for 'an end to this very brutal war.''
An internal email shared by Webb to Facebook showed Canosa formally requesting the resolutions be added to the May 29 council agenda. These include:
A resolution urging donor transparency from the Lone Star Conservative Action Fund.
A resolution to pursue an ordinance prohibiting gambling in high-intensity mixed-use zones.
A resolution supporting the President's efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.
Webb did not share a response to The Dallas Express. However, his sentiments were echoed in an email directed at his colleagues:
'Louis you need to focus on doing city business and quit politicking,' Webb wrote in an email to council colleagues. 'Mueller you have not been to a regular council meeting yet and you already showing your reason for running. John I have lost all respect for you!'
The fallout compounded when Tammam Alwan, a prominent local Muslim activist, posted a group text reminding Webb of his earlier support for a ceasefire resolution.
'You had shared two messages… where you expressed your commitment to being the 5th vote for a ceasefire resolution,' Alwan wrote to Webb and others on May 26. 'Now that it's on the agenda… we're looking forward to your continued support.'
Webb replied that the resolution was a 'political stunt' orchestrated to influence Muslim voters and push Sergio Porres, a Families for Irving PAC-endorsed council candidate, into a council majority.
Despite the impression given by Webb's texts, Porres was already endorsed by several Muslim organizations in April after a The Dallas Express report exposed the extent to which the Lone Star Conservative Action Fund was supporting his opponent, David Pfaff, for Place 2.
'They are using you all to get Sergio Porres elected so they can have a 5 vote majority on the council to control the city,' Webb wrote. 'I will not be in attendance when these resolutions are presented.'
Alwan was not alone in recalling Webb's earlier statements.
Professor Raed Sbeit, another Muslim community leader, wrote in the same group text on May 5, 'Luis asked me to provide a Ceasefire Resolution Draft… Pastor Webb have already submitted the draft in 2024 that can be used as a baseline.'
Webb quickly disputed that claim.
'Correction: I never submitted a draft for a cease fire resolution,' Webb replied the same day. 'I said in our meeting where you was present that if you got 4 votes I would be your fifth.' He later clarified, 'Correction: I never said I would be the third to put it on an agenda. My support would be at the voting level.'
Webb's apparent reversal comes amid growing scrutiny over his political alliances. Earlier this month, Kenyan-American civic leader Vicky Oduk told The Dallas Express that Webb warned her to rescind her public endorsement of Sergio Porres or risk ending her political career. Oduk refused, continuing to canvass for Porres despite alleged pressure from Webb and others.
Canosa also used his statement to criticize the Lone Star Conservative Action Fund, alleging that, despite public denials, Las Vegas Sands is using it to influence Irving elections.
'At the March 14th town hall, Las Vegas Sands promised transparency and pledged that the company would not intervene in Irving's local elections,' Canosa said. 'Yet all available evidence strongly suggests that Las Vegas Sands is closely tied to the nearly $200,000 spent by Lone Star Conservative Action Fund in this year's city council races.'
Canosa said the resolution on transparency aims to shed light on these financial influences in the name of accountability.
Although the three resolutions are expected to be voted on on Thursday, their final text has not yet been released.
'I have supported the Muslim community for over 12 years,' Webb wrote in the group thread. 'But my moral principles about proper government will not allow me to participate in this improper use of their political position.'
Former Council Candidate and political insider Matt Varble previously stated he supports the 'concept' of a casino in Irving, although he opposes the process used to bring this project to Irving. He also previously opposed Canosa's bid for council in 2024.
Speaking about Webb and the three resolutions, Varble told The Dallas Express, 'It's clear he's feeling the pressure. He's been backed into a political corner, and he knows this issue could have a decisive impact on the runoff election. What's more telling, though, is the public rebuke of a fellow council member an unspoken red line in local politics.'
To Varble, the Facebook post indicated 'panic' and 'This move may reveal more about his own concerns about low energy David Pfaff's political vulnerability/electability than it does about the issue at hand. I think Mr. Pfaff is cooked.'
The May 29 City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Irving City Hall.
The election for Place 2 will be on June 7.