In a significant political move, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, formerly a Democrat, announced his decision to join the Republican Party. Writing in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Johnson, who served nine years in the Texas Legislature as a Democrat before his mayoral election in 2019, emphasized, “American cities need Republicans — and Republicans need American cities.”
Johnson added, “I have no intention of changing my approach to my job. But today I am changing my party affiliation.” He further stated his intention to vote in the Republican primary next spring and confirmed that he will conclude his term as mayor in 2027 as a Republican.
The decision was warmly welcomed by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott. While the mayoral position in Dallas is technically nonpartisan, this switch makes Dallas the second major Texas city, after Fort Worth, to have a mayor with Republican affiliations, as noted by The Texas Tribune.
Governor Abbott remarked, “Texas is getting more Red every day. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson switches to Republican Party. He’s pro law enforcement & won’t tolerate leftist agendas. Two of the 10 largest cities in America now have Republican Mayors & they are both in Texas.”
Mayor Johnson’s decision stems from his belief in the principles of “law and order” and “fiscal conservatism.” Dallas, like many other American cities, has witnessed an uptick in violent crime recently, following two years of declining rates. This surge coincides with staffing challenges faced by the Dallas Police Department, a consequence of the anti-police sentiment that emerged after the tragic death of George Floyd in 2020.
Johnson expressed his concerns candidly, writing, “I don’t believe I can stay on the sidelines any longer.” He emphasized the importance of mayors across the nation championing law and order and practicing fiscal conservatism. “Our cities desperately need the genuine commitment to these principles that has long been a defining characteristic of the GOP,” he added.
The mayor also critiqued Democratic policies, suggesting they have contributed to the challenges faced by many cities, including spikes in violent crime in places like New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Johnson opined, “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 concluded by expressing his concerns about how local tax dollars are often spent on policies that, in his view, exacerbate societal issues. “Too often, local tax dollars are spent on policies that exacerbate homelessness, coddle criminals and make it harder for ordinary people to make a living,” he wrote. “Enough. This makes for good headlines, but not for safer, stronger, more vibrant cities.”
