He expounded this partisan shift in an op-ed published Sept. 22 in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). "Next spring, I will be voting in the GOP primary," Johnson announced. "When my career in elected office ends in 2027 on the inauguration of my successor as mayor, I will leave office as a Republican."
"I have been mayor of Dallas for more than four years. During that time, my priority has been to make the city safer, stronger and more vibrant. That meant saying no to those who wanted to defund the police; fighting for lower taxes and a friendlier business climate; and … investing in family-friendly infrastructure such as better parks and trails," he wrote.
"That approach is working. Alone among America's 10 most populous cities, Dallas has brought violent crime down in every major category – including murder – year-over-year for the past two years. In a recent Gallup poll asking Americans to rate the safety of major cities, Dallas came out on top." (Related: Gallup poll: Los Angeles among five cities deemed unsafe to live in or visit.)
Johnson also pointed out in his op-ed that his former Democratic colleagues who are mayors have brought their cities to the ground.
"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," he lamented.
"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. And too many local Democrats insist on virtue signaling – proposing half-baked government programs that aim to solve every single societal ill – and on finding new ways to thumb their noses at Republicans at the state or federal level. Enough."
GOP welcomes Johnson, Dems rebuke his "treachery"
Prior to his election as mayor of the Big D in 2019, Johnson served in the Texas House of Representatives under the Democratic Party for nine years. "Though the mayor's position is technically nonpartisan, Johnson joins Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker as one of two GOP mayors to lead a major Texas city," the Texas Tribune pointed out.
Texas Republicans were quick to embrace Johnson, lauding his switch from blue to red. "Texas is getting more red every day," wrote Gov. Gregg Abbot on X. He praised Johnson's pro-law enforcement stance and his refusal to tolerate leftist agendas.
"Mayor [Johnson] is absolutely right. Conservative policies are the key to safe, thriving and successful cities – [and] his leadership is a shining example of that," wrote Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan. "To my friend and former colleague, welcome to the [GOP]."
It is worth noting, however, that Phelan is one of the masterminds behind the failed impeachment attempt against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The Texas Senate voted to acquit the Lone Star State's top attorney on Sept. 16.
Meanwhile, Johnson's former party mates did not take too kindly to his change in allegiance. They swiftly rebuked the Dallas mayor for betraying the electorate that put him in the position.
Dallas County Democratic Party Chair Kardal Coleman lamented: "It's really unfortunate to see Johnson [not only] switch parties, but also to turn his back on the electorate that's gotten him this far in his political career. He's choosing his personal ambitions over the good of the whole of Texas."
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner expressed his disappointment over his fellow mayor's party shift. He compared this to Johnson "leaving a thriving ship to get on a sinking one." Turner also pushed back against Johnson's allegations in the WSJ op-ed that blue cities are failing, noting that "Democratic mayors are doing an exceptional job across this country."
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Watch this video about the city of Dallas welcoming annual meetings of the National Rifle Association.
This video is from the NRA channel on Brighteon.com.
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