Dallas, Texas – In a bold political move, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson has announced his decision to switch from the Democratic to the Republican Party, citing concerns about the “culture of lawlessness” in Democrat-run cities. This decision, which has sparked widespread discussion, was detailed in an exclusive interview on “FOX & Friends.”
Mayor Johnson expressed his disillusionment with the Democratic Party’s stance on law enforcement, particularly in the wake of the “defund the police” movement. He recounted a personal incident where activists, opposed to his pro-law enforcement stance, attempted to intimidate him and his family. “Very soon after the whole defund the police nonsense started, activists showed up at my house trying to intentionally scare my family and scare my children, scare me into changing my very, very clear position that we were not going to do that in Dallas,” Johnson told Lawrence Jones during the interview. This episode was a turning point for him, leading to his realization that the Democratic Party prioritized protecting criminals over law-abiding citizens.
Johnson, who has roots in the streets of Dallas, highlighted the disconnect between the party’s policies and the desires of the Black community. Contrary to the narrative pushed by some in the party, he emphasized that the community he represents wants well-trained police presence and safety in their neighborhoods. “They didn’t want the police department defunded,” he said, explaining his isolation within the party due to his law-and-order and fiscal responsibility principles.
The mayor’s party switch was first announced in a Wall Street Journal op-ed titled “America’s Cities Need Republicans, and I’m Becoming One.” In it, Johnson declared his intention to vote in the Republican primary and to complete his tenure as mayor in 2027 as a Republican. He expressed belief that his shift might inspire the Black community to reconsider their longstanding loyalty to the Democratic Party. “I actually believe that in time they’re going to start to ask themselves, ‘Why are we still Democrats? We trust him. He’s never let us down,'” Johnson said.
Since his election in 2019, Johnson has consistently supported the police, contrasting with other cities like Austin, which have reduced funding for law enforcement. He urges a shift away from the Democratic leadership, which he characterizes as lax and responsible for the culture of lawlessness in cities from San Francisco to Philadelphia.
Johnson’s stance is clear: cities need more Republican mayors to restore law and order. He pointed out the stark differences between his governance style — fiscally conservative and pro-law enforcement — and the current trajectory of the Democratic Party. This call for a Republican presence in city leadership reflects his belief in the need for a significant political shift to address the challenges facing urban areas.
