Dallas mayor Eric Johnson switches to Repunk party

oh HEYuhl  nah.

https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/22/dallas-mayor-eric-johnson-republican/

Johnson’s switch came as little shock to Dallas political observers, who said he has been signaling for some time his leaning toward the GOP — and his distancing from Democrats. "This is one of the worst kept secrets in the world of politics," said Vinny Minchillo, a Dallas-area Republican consultant. "This has been coming down for a long time."

State Rep. John Bryant, a Dallas Democrat, took to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to quip about Johnson's announcement. “Switching parties? I didn’t know he was a Democrat,” Bryant wrote.

In his op-ed, Johnson made the case for how his vision for Dallas aligns with the GOP, noting his support for law enforcement, low property taxes and fostering a business-friendly environment. Over the course of his mayoral tenure, Johnson has enthusiastically backed anti-crime initiatives and developed a strong bond with Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia. He won reelection without opposition in May after sewing up the city’s business donor class, who often lean Republican, as well as the Dallas Police Association, the city’s police union.

"In a city that deserves dedicated leadership, Mayor Johnson has been an ineffective and truant mayor, not only disconnected from Democratic values, but unable to even be an effective messenger for conservative local policy," Gilberto Hinojosa and Shay Wyrick Cathey, Texas Democratic Party chair and vice-chair, wrote in a joint statement.

Did they always describe him as "ineffective", or did they just decide to call him that after he left the Democratic party?

State Rep. John Bryant, a Dallas Democrat, took to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to quip about Johnson's announcement.

“Switching parties? I didn’t know he was a Democrat,” Bryant wrote.

Why? What did he do that was so Republican? Bringing down the crime rate?

Black mayor from Democratic city? I'm surprised he was a Democrat. /sarcasm

Johnson has been a moderate since his election. I wouldn't call him a conservative, but he is not a leftist. Consider the source of the above quotes. Micheal jinajosa is a rabid leftist who has tanked Dallas ISD before his retirement.

Johnson has been critical of their woke DA who refuses to prosecute shoplifters for anything under $750. He has been for lower taxes and balancing the budget. If we are going to have a Democrat, he's the one. He's better than many Republicans.

Oh great, another Democrat who now claims to be a "republican" to water down the party. There are ENOUGH RINOs!

RV wrote:Oh great, another Democrat who now claims to be a "republican" to water down the party. There are ENOUGH RINOs!

Dallas is so corrupt and stupid leftist that Johnson had no challenger in the last election. Republicans didn't bother putting up a candidate because the guano crazy leftists have the city locked up. We didn't gain anything by Johnson becoming a Republican, except that maybe he can draw some of the black vote over to the Republicans. We definitely didn't lose anything as Johnson was already in office.

From the OP:

In his op-ed, Johnson made the case for how his vision for Dallas aligns with the GOP, noting his support for law enforcement, low property taxes and fostering a business-friendly environment.

~snip~

“Mayors and other local elected officials have failed to make public safety a priority or to exercise fiscal restraint,” Johnson wrote in the op-ed. “Most of these local leaders are proud Democrats who view cities as laboratories for liberalism rather than as havens for opportunity and free enterprise.”

After his reelection this year, Johnson invited Texas’ two Republican U.S. senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, to attend his inauguration — which some observers complained improperly injected partisanship into a nonpartisan space.

First off, I have to admit that I dislike this idea of switching horses midstream. If you join up as a Dem, you ought to finish out your tenure as a Dem, as they are the ones who put you in office.

However, if the position is non-partisan, as they say the mayor's position is, then why does it matter which party the mayor belongs to?

One more bit:

"Texas is getting more Red every day," Gov. Greg Abbott wrote on X. "He’s pro law enforcement & won’t tolerate leftist agendas."

“To my friend and former colleague, welcome to the Republican Party!” Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, said on X. “Mayor [Johnson] is absolutely right. Conservative policies are the key to safe, thriving, and successful cities. His leadership is a shining example of that. Great news.”

Republican politicians will embrace anyone who announces a switch to their party. To heck with credentials, or bothering to do much of any homework. If a politicians says he wants an "R" beside his name, then so be it! Let the guy in!

It used to Dems who cared more about numbers than values.

Oh heck, this mayor may well be just who he says he is. If so, welcome aboard! But ya can't help wondering if the guy who accused him of doing so wasn't more for personal gain, rather than altruistic motives.
Time will tell.