Presidential Candidate Tim Scott Visits Texas to Welcome Dallas Mayor to the GOP

Republican presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) speaks during the first debate of the GOP primary season hosted by FOX News at the Fiserv Forum, in Milwaukee, Wis., on Aug. 23, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

GOP presidential candidate Tim Scott on Tuesday traveled to Dallas, Texas, where he met with Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and personally welcomed him into the Republican party.

The South Carolina senator, who is one of more than a dozen candidates seeking the Republican nomination, met with Mr. Johnson after he recently announced his departure from the Democratic Party. Both of the men are black.

“A few years ago. I first met Mayor Eric Johnson at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ church. Today, it was a pleasure to come to Dallas and welcome him to the Great Opportunity Party. Mayor Johnson, we are happy to have you,” Mr. Scott wrote on Facebook on Tuesday afternoon.

The pair explored Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas, where they discussed their desire to increase Republican leadership across the nation.

“I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Senator @votetimscott [Tim Scott] this morning. 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,” Mr. Johnson wrote on X following Mr. Scott’s visit.

The mayor also noted he had no intentions of leaving his post as mayor.

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“I remain committed to continuing our successful efforts here in Dallas for the next four years,” he added.

Democrats Call For Resignation

But Mr. Johnson’s party switch was not celebrated by all, including the Dallas Democrat Party, which recently launched an online petition calling for Mr. Johnson to step down from city leadership following his party change.

“Mayor Johnson’s switch to the Republican Party is nothing short of an insult to Dallas voters,” reads the petition calling for Mr. Johnson’s resignation.

“This switch is the launch of a selfish and cynical strategy to get his next job at the expense of his current job, the one Dallas voters elected him to do.”

Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott of South Carolina and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson at Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas, Texas, on Oct. 3, 2023. (Courtesy of Mayor Eric Johnson's Office)

Kardal Coleman, chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party, described the mayor’s decision as an “embarrassment” to the city of Dallas.

“The Texas Republican Party proved it is part of corruption and crime by voting not to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton, said Dallas County Democratic Party Chair Kardal Coleman, 33, in a news release. “Johnson’s decision to join that party is an embarrassment to him and our community. Mayor Johnson 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.”

Mr. Coleman, who is the first-ever black chairman of Dallas County Democrats, told WFAA-TV’s Inside Texas Politics on Sunday that he was “not necessarily surprised, but definitely disappointed” in the mayor’s move.

At publication time, the petition had garnered less than 2,000 of the more than 97,000 signatures required to spark a recall.

Mr. Coleman’s office did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment.

Largest City With Republican Mayor

The move makes Dallas the largest city in the nation with a Republican mayor, although the job is a nonpartisan position. Prior to becoming mayor in 2019, Mr. Johnson served nine years as a Democrat in the Texas Legislature.

Mr. Johnson, who was re-elected for a second and final term earlier this year, assured voters that his party affiliation would not change the way he leads the city of Dallas. His term runs through 2027.

“I have no intention of changing my approach to my job. But today, I am changing my party affiliation. 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,” Mr. Johnson wrote in an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal on Sept. 22.

Mr. Johnson’s office did not respond to The Epoch Times’ request for an interview.

The Republican Party of Texas commended the mayor for joining the party and welcomed him with a resolution.

“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,” states the resolution dated Sept. 25.