DALLAS — In a new interview with Texas Monthly, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson cites a perceived shift to the left by the Democratic Party -- particularly on issues of public safety -- as the reasoning behind his controversial switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party last year.
“During the defund-the-police, post-George Floyd era, I learned that the real heart of the Democratic Party is with the criminals and it feels more sympathy toward the offenders,” Johnson alleged in the interview. “The Democratic Party does not take public safety seriously. Eventually, I just said ‘enough’ and realized I couldn’t be part of that.”
Johnson’s party switch sparked calls from the Dallas County Democratic Party for his resignation. It was also cited, along with a report of city council meetings Johnson missed in recent years, as the genesis behind an unsuccessful attempt to recall him from office earlier this year.
When asked about whether the switch affected his ability to build consensus on the city council, Johnson said, “there’s no change in my policy positions, which is why any consternation about my party switch is ludicrous.”
“Here’s the big surprise, America: Dallas has been succeeding during the five years I’ve been mayor because I’ve always run the city like a Republican mayor would run the city,” Johnson added.
Johnson shared that particular quote from the interview on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday evening.
In a response to the mayor's post, newly appointed Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam Bazaldua made his own post to X in which he called the mayor "delusional”.
“In a weak mayor form of government, he’s 1 of 15 votes,” Bazaldua continued. “A strong democratic council has been running this city and I’m happy to see our successes celebrated across party lines! Must mean we’re doin’ something right.”
Notably, the Texas Monthly interview didn’t address Johnson’s strained relationship with former Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax and some members of the city council, allegations that he had an affair with a city staffer while still married or any of the reports on the volume of city council meetings Johnson has missed in recent years.
It did, however, address his ongoing effort to lure a second NFL franchise to North Texas.
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