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Eric Johnson, a prominent Democratic figure and mayor of Dallas, has recently switched parties and is now affiliated with the Republican Party. As a result, Dallas has become the largest city in the United States to have a Republican mayor.
“Today I am changing my party affiliation,” Johnson wrote in an op-ed published Friday in The Wall Street Journal. “Next spring, I will be voting in the Republican primary. When my career in elected office ends in 2027 on the inauguration of my successor as mayor, I will leave office as a Republican.”
After serving for nine years as a Democrat in the Texas Legislature, Johnson was elected as the Dallas mayor in 2019. Although the mayor’s role is officially nonpartisan, Johnson, alongside Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, is one of the two Republican mayors to govern a prominent city in Texas.
A call seeking comment was not immediately returned by Johnson.
Dallas political observers were not surprised by Johnson’s switch to the GOP, as he had been indicating his inclination towards the party and his detachment from Democrats for a while now.
Vinny Minchillo, a Republican consultant based in Dallas, stated that this is undoubtedly one of the most poorly guarded secrets within the realm of politics. According to him, this has been anticipated for quite a while now.
State Rep. John Bryant, a Dallas Democrat, took to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to quip about Johnson’s announcement.
Bryant expressed surprise at the news of him switching parties, stating, “I had no idea he was a Democrat.”
Johnson’s op-ed argued that his vision for Dallas is in line with the GOP. He emphasized his endorsement of law enforcement, his stance on low property taxes, and his commitment to creating a business-friendly atmosphere.
Throughout his time as mayor, Johnson has shown unwavering support for initiatives aimed at combating crime and has successfully fostered a close relationship with Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia. His reelection in May was uncontested, thanks to his ability to secure the support of the city’s business donor class, which typically aligns with the Republican party, as well as the Dallas Police Association, the local police union.
Johnson criticized mayors and other local elected officials for not prioritizing public safety and not practicing fiscal restraint in his op-ed. He pointed out that many of these leaders are Democrats who see cities as platforms for promoting liberal ideals instead of fostering opportunities and free enterprise.
After his reelection this year, Johnson invited Texas’ two Republican U.S. senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, to attend his inauguration — which some observers complained improperly injected partisanship into a nonpartisan space.
Johnson, together with four other Dallas council members, opposed the city’s $4.8 billion budget earlier this week due to his belief that it inadequately reduced the city’s property tax rate. Lowering property taxes is a favored subject among the leading Republicans in the state.
Johnson expressed in the op-ed that local tax funds are frequently utilized in ways that worsen the issue of homelessness, cater to criminals, and create obstacles for regular individuals to earn a livelihood. Additionally, he pointed out that numerous local Democrats engage in virtue signaling by proposing inadequate government initiatives that attempt to resolve all societal problems, while simultaneously disregarding Republicans at the state or federal level. Johnson concluded that this approach may generate attention-grabbing headlines, but it fails to contribute to the creation of safer, stronger, and more thriving cities.
After Johnson’s party switch, he quickly becomes one of the most notable Black Republicans nationwide. This group also comprises other prominent figures like South Carolina senator and presidential candidate Tim Scott, as well as Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Despite the Democratic party still attracting the majority of Black voters, the Republican party has experienced some progress in gaining support from Black men in recent times.
Despite being solidly Democratic, Dallas County heavily favored Joe Biden over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, securing a victory for Biden by a margin of more than 30 percentage points. Consequently, several local politicians argue that Johnson’s decision is not aligned with the preferences of the city’s voters.
According to Dallas City Council Member Adam Bazaldua, he expresses doubt that it establishes the focus on important matters. He further suggests that it would have been beneficial for voters to be aware of the party affiliation beforehand, prior to casting their votes in May.
Politicians viewed Johnson’s switch as a sign that he might be considering a run for a statewide position, something that Democrats have been unable to secure for many years.
According to Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University, to be successful in Dallas, one must align with the Democratic party, whereas winning in Texas requires an affiliation with the Republican party.
Minchillo, the GOP strategist, stated that Johnson’s party switch is another damning indication of the current condition of the Democratic Party in Texas.
According to Minchillo, having the ‘R’ by your name is definitely a wise career move, especially if you aim to remain involved in Texas politics.
During a Texas Tribune panel event in Austin on Friday morning, Johnson refrained from discussing his party switch as he spoke for approximately an hour. Emphasizing the nonpartisan nature of his office, he expressed his desire for a more conservative approach to Dallas’ expenditure. Johnson argued that the current spending is inefficient and advocated for the elimination of numerous welfare programs that he believes are utilized by only a small fraction of the population. He pointed to polling data indicating that a majority of Dallas residents favor lower taxes.
He expressed his lack of knowledge about the essential services that people are referencing and how they are specifically beneficial for impoverished individuals in the city. He admitted to being unaware of the specific services they are utilizing.
Texas Republicans wasted no time in embracing Johnson as a member of their own party.
“Texas is getting more Red every day,” Gov. Greg Abbott wrote on X. “He’s pro law enforcement & won’t tolerate leftist agendas.”
“To my friend and former colleague, welcome to the Republican Party!” Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, said on X. “Mayor [Johnson] is absolutely right. Conservative policies are the key to safe, thriving, and successful cities. His leadership is a shining example of that. Great news.”
Meanwhile, the Texas Democratic Party’s highest-ranking members reacted to the news with intense hostility.
According to a joint statement from Gilberto Hinojosa and Shay Wyrick Cathey, the Texas Democratic Party chair and vice-chair, Mayor Johnson has proven to be an ineffective and absent leader for the city. They criticize him for being disconnected from Democratic values and unable to effectively communicate conservative local policies. The statement expresses gratitude that Mayor Johnson will no longer be able to tarnish the brand and values of the Texas Democratic Party, as they believe he aligns more with Republicans.
Johnson’s announcement was seen by Democrats as a betrayal, although it may not have come as a surprise.
Kardal Coleman, chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party, expressed his disappointment with Mayor Johnson’s decision to switch parties and abandon the electorate that has supported him throughout his political career. Coleman stated that this move was not unexpected, as it has been widely known in Texas politics. However, he criticized the Mayor for prioritizing his personal ambitions over the well-being of the entire state of Texas.
During an interview with Tribune co-founder Evan Smith on Friday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner expressed his disappointment with Eric’s decision to leave a prosperous ship for a declining one.
He stated that individuals occasionally make choices for diverse motives, and he acknowledges his personal decision. However, he emphasized that if we examine cities like San Antonio, Austin, and Houston, as well as other places in Texas, we will witness the outstanding performance of Democratic mayors in our nation.
Emily Foxhall contributed to this story.
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