DALLAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) — Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson is turning into a Republican, he introduced in a Wall Street Journal article showing on an Op-Ed web page Friday morning. Johnson is in his 2nd and ultimate time period as mayor, after receiving greater than 98% of the vote in his reelection marketing campaign previous this yr.
Before turning into mayor in 2019, Johnson served 5 phrases in the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat, representing a district that incorporates South Dallas and portions of Oak Cliff and Pleasant Grove.
In the op-ed, Johnson argues that towns have the benefit of legislation and order and financial conservatism, which he says Democratic mayors in different main towns are overlooking.
“Unfortunately, many of our cities are in disarray. Mayors and other local elected officials have failed to make public safety a priority or to exercise fiscal restraint. Most of these local leaders are proud Democrats who view cities as laboratories for liberalism rather than as havens for opportunity and free enterprise,” Johnson wrote.
He additionally wrote that he believes Democratic insurance policies “exacerbate homelessness, coddle criminals and make it harder for ordinary people to make a living,” whilst accusing Democrats of “virtue signalling.”
Johnson wrote that in spite of the trade in his celebration registration, he’ll no longer trade his strategy to the non-partisan place of job of mayor.
“In the coming years, I will continue to pursue my three-pronged goal for Dallas: to become the safest major city in America with the best park system in Texas and the lowest taxes in our fast-growing North Texas region,” he wrote.
The Texas GOP was once fast to reward Johnson’s determination on social media Friday morning.
They shared: “Let’s all welcome @Johnson4Dallas to the Republican Party! His tenure as Mayor has been marked by fighting hard for lower property taxes and fully funding Dallas PD.”
Governor Greg Abbott additionally launched a remark welcoming Johnson.
“I am proud to welcome Mayor Johnson to the Republican Party––the party of freedom, opportunity, and economic prosperity,” stated Governor Abbott. “Mayor Johnson’s decision to switch parties highlights the stark contrast many Democrat-led cities face: out-of-control crime, reckless spending, and a radical leftist agenda. During Mayor Johnson’s time in office, the City of Dallas has funded their police and championed conservative economic policies, leading to safer neighborhoods and unprecedented economic growth, including attracting Fortune 500 companies to the region, and helping small businesses to thrive. I look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Johnson as we build a brighter, more prosperous Texas of tomorrow.”
On Monday afternoon, the statewide Texas Democratic Party additionally launched a remark of its personal, attributed to Gilberto Hinojosa and Shay Wyrick Cathey, the chair and vice-chair:
“Given his long-standing affinity with Republican leaders and ideology – like when he cozied up with longtime podcast host Ted Cruz at his inauguration this year – this announcement is neither surprising nor unwelcome. But the voters of Dallas deserved to know where he stood before he ran for reelection as Mayor. He wasn’t honest with his constituents, and knew he would lose to a Democrat if he flipped before the election. In a city that deserves dedicated leadership, Mayor Johnson has been an ineffective and truant mayor, not only disconnected from Democratic values, but unable to even be an effective messenger for conservative local policy. This feeble excuse for democratic representation will fit right in with Republicans – and we are grateful that he can no longer tarnish the brand and values of the Texas Democratic Party.”
Kardal Coleman, the chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party Chair, additionally issued a remark:
“Today’s announcement by way of Mayor Eric Johnson is little short of an insult to the voters. However, the other folks of Texas aren’t shocked. This transfer is the release of a self-centered schedule that places politics over other folks. Mayor Johnson has became his again on the very citizens who relied on that he would uphold our hard-fought Democratic values. Just final week, the Texas Republican Party proved its status as a celebration of corruption and crime by way of balloting to not impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton. That Johnson has the gall to sign up for a celebration so blatantly hostile to the values of Dallas is a humiliation no longer simplest to him, however to our neighborhood.
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