<body><div> Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson is now a Republican. Driving the news: Johnson announced the switch in a Friday <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-cities-need-republicans-and-im-becoming-one-dallas-texas-mayor-965dbaa4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Wall Street Journal article </a> in which he wrote "cities need Republicans." <hr><ul><li> The mayor has often been in the minority on the left-leaning City Council, including last week when he was one of five votes against the <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2023/09/22/dallas-city-council-passes-budget" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> newest budget </a> , saying property owners should've gotten a larger tax cut. </li></ul><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Why it matters: Johnson is now the <a href="https://www.fox7austin.com/news/dallas-mayor-eric-johnson-republican?taid=650de7bc5c9b8c0001091df7&amp;utm_campaign=trueanthem&amp;utm_medium=trueanthem&amp;utm_source=twitter" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> only Republican mayor </a> among the nation's 10 largest cities. And even though its electorate remains majority Democratic, Dallas is now the largest Texas city with a GOP leader. Yes, but: The mayor of Dallas is ultimately a figurehead with one vote on the 15-member council. The city is run by the city manager, whom the council hires. Between the lines: Johnson's announcement is no surprise to anyone who's been paying attention to his talking points and political friendships. After winning a second term, Johnson invited Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn to the <a href="https://www.fox4news.com/news/senators-john-cornyn-ted-cruz-accept-dallas-mayors-invite-to-attend-inauguration-ceremony" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> inauguration </a> in June. <ul><li> "Switching parties? I didn't know he was a Democrat," Democratic State Rep. John Bryant <a href="https://x.com/johnbryantfortx/status/1705253419299242264?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> quipped </a> on Friday. </li></ul> Flashback: Johnson served as a Democrat for nine years in the <a href="https://lrl.texas.gov/mobile/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=5677" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> state House </a> . <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><ul><li> He became mayor in 2019 after <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/elections/2019/06/09/state-rep-eric-johnson-easily-defeats-council-member-scott-griggs-to-become-dallas-mayor/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> a runoff </a> against longtime Councilman Scott Griggs. At the time, Johnson was backed by the city's biggest donors and outgoing Democratic mayor Mike Rawlings. </li></ul> Details: Johnson itemized several of his successes in the WSJ article, including that he won reelection by a wide margin this year — but he didn't mention that <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2023/02/20/its-official-dallas-mayor-eric-johnson-to-run-unopposed-in-2023/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> he ran unopposed </a> . <ul><li> The mayor noted the <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2023/08/22/dallas-safest-large-city-reduced-crime-gallup-poll" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> perception of Dallas </a> as a safe city and his opposition to "defunding" the police department in 2020. At the time he instead pushed to " <a href="https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/mayors-plan-to-cut-city-hall-salaries-rejected-again-7-million-dpd-ot-cut-remains-in-budget/287-4e825bb1-5f10-4ee9-8d2b-c969ba311689" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> defund the bureaucracy </a> " by cutting city staff salaries. </li></ul> What he's saying: Johnson said Democrats leading many cities treat them as "laboratories for liberalism." <ul><li> "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." </li></ul><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> The big picture: Johnson has already received a <a href="https://x.com/MattRinaldiTX/status/1705249022884102162?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> warm welcome </a> to the <a href="https://x.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1705251728432521468?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Republican party </a> . <ul><li> "Conservative policies are the key to safe, thriving, and successful cities. His leadership is a shining example of that," state House Speaker and Beaumont Republican Dade Phelan <a href="https://x.com/DadePhelan/status/1705246860884021584?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> tweeted </a> . </li></ul> What we're watching: Whether Johnson pushes for a strong-mayor system in Dallas. He was part of a <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2022/06/21/dallas-city-manager-keeps-job-for-now" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> failed attempt to oust </a> city manager T.C. Broadnax last year. <ul><li> He could also run for statewide office. His term expires in 2027. </li></ul></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson is now a Republican.Driving the news: Johnson announced the switch in a Friday Wall Street Journal article in which he wrote \"cities need Republicans.\"The mayor has often been in the minority on the left-leaning City Council, including last week when he was one of five votes against the newest budget, saying property owners should've gotten a larger tax cut.Why it matters: Johnson is now the only Republican mayor among the nation's 10 largest cities. And even though its electorate remains majority Democratic, Dallas is now the largest Texas city with a GOP leader.Yes, but: The mayor...

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson switches to the Republican Party

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Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson is now a Republican.Driving the news: Johnson announced the switch in a Friday Wall Street Journal article in which he wrote "cities need Republicans."The mayor has often been in the minority on the left-leaning City Council, including last week when he was one of five votes against the newest budget, saying property owners should've gotten a larger tax cut.Why it matters: Johnson is now the only Republican mayor among the nation's 10 largest cities. And even though its electorate remains majority Democratic, Dallas is now the largest Texas city with a GOP leader.Yes, but: The mayor...