Sen. Tim Scott visits Dallas to congratulate its mayor for joining the Republican Party

10/05/2023 / By Ramon Tomey

Presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) has visited the city of Dallas to congratulate its mayor, who recently jumped ship from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.

According to the Epoch Times, Scott traveled to the Big D on Oct. 3 to visit Mayor Eric Johnson and personally welcome him into the GOP. The pair of Black politicians explored Klyde Warren Park in the city’s downtown, where they discussed their desire to increase GOP leadership across the nation.

“A few years ago, I first met Johnson at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ church. Today, it was a pleasure to come to Dallas and welcome him to the Great Opportunity Party,” Scott wrote on Facebook. “Mayor Johnson, we are happy to have you.” (Related: Dallas mayor SWITCHES from Democratic Party to Republican.)

The Dallas mayor returned the favor through a post on X. “I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Sen. [Scott] this morning,” he wrote. Johnson also reiterated that he won’t leave his post as mayor, adding: “I remain committed to continuing our successful efforts here in Dallas for the next four years.”

“We agreed on the need for more fiscally conservative, pro-public safety Republican leadership in America’s cities and the lingering negative effects of the radical left-led ‘Defund the Police’ movement. I look forward to meeting with other allies who believe in strong, safe and vibrant cities.”

The Texas GOP commended Johnson, who previously served as a Democrat for nine years in the Texas House of Representatives. It also welcomed him with a resolution approved on Sept. 25.

“Therefore, be it resolved that the Republican Party of Texas commends Dallas Mayor Eric Lynn Johnson for his wisdom and courage in publicly declaring his new home in the Republican Party and extends a welcome to him,” the resolution stated.

Texas Democratic Party denounces Johnson’s “betrayal”

Johnson’s switch makes Dallas the largest city in the nation with a Republican mayor, although the job is a nonpartisan position. He was re-elected for his second and final term in May, with his tenure running through 2027. Despite this, he assured voters that his party affiliation won’t change the way he leads the city.

Three days before the Texas GOP issued the resolution welcoming him, Johnson defended his decision to switch parties in an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal. “I have no intention of changing my approach to my job. But today, I am changing my party affiliation,” he wrote in the Sept. 22 piece.

“Next spring, I will be voting in the Republican primary. When my career in elected office ends in 2027 on the inauguration of my successor as mayor, I will leave office as a Republican.”

Johnson also took aim at Democratic mayors, lamenting how they have “failed to make public safety a priority or to exercise fiscal restraint.” He continued: “Most of these local leaders are proud Democrats who view cities as laboratories for liberalism rather than as havens for opportunity and free enterprise.”

Democrats in the Lone Star State rebuked Johnson for his decision to jump ship. Dallas County Democratic Party (DCDP) Chair Kardal Coleman called the move an “embarrassment” to the city.

“Johnson’s decision to join [the GOP] is an embarrassment to him and our community,” he said in a statement. “[He] has run out on his job, he’s run out on the voters that elected him, and now his time has run out. Eric Johnson must resign now.”

Watch Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) denouncing the classic Democratic Party strategy of using “racism” to describe the politics of its opponents below.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.