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.
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.
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.“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.”
Kardal Coleman, chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party, described the mayor’s decision as an “embarrassment” to the city of Dallas.
At publication time, the petition had garnered less than 2,000 of the more than 97,000 signatures required to spark a recall.
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.
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.