Eric Johnson, the Democrat-turned-Republican mayor of Dallas, declared on Thursday that the Texan city is now a refuge from socialist policies after New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani won New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary.

Johnson described Dallas as the nation’s first “sanctuary city from socialism” in a message seemingly directed toward New Yorkers.

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“If your city is (or is about to be) a sanctuary for criminals, mayhem, job-killing regulations, and failed socialist experiments, I have a modest invitation for you: MOVE TO DALLAS,” he posted on X.

“We value free enterprise, law and order, and our first responders,” Johnson continued. “Common sense and the American Dream still reside here. We have all your big-city comforts and conveniences without the suffocating vice grip of government bureaucrats.”

The mayor made a similar invitation to New York City residents last week after Mamdani, a self-described socialist, beat former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) and other Democratic candidates ahead of the general election for mayor. Mamdani’s win became official earlier this week after the city’s ranked choice voting results were released.

Mamdani’s campaign includes proposals for government-run grocery stores, expanded rent control, and efforts to boycott, divest, and sanction Israel. The progressive politician has been criticized as antisemitic after he declined to condemn the anti-Israel slogan, “globalize the intifada.”

In Dallas, Johnson left the Democratic Party to join the GOP in 2023 after opposing a city council tax hike. Unlike other Democratic mayors, Johnson prioritizes police funding amid calls to defund the police and supports working with the Trump administration.

Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) supports Johnson’s vision to make Dallas a “sanctuary city from socialism.”

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“The State of Texas will provide whatever support is needed to fulfill that mission,” Abbott wrote on social media.

Before switching political parties, Johnson won reelection in 2023 after assuming office in 2019.