Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson appeared at the Republican National Midterm Convention to discuss the Democrat party and what he described as socialist policies promoted by Democrats.
Johnson began his speech by welcoming attendees to the “biggest city in America with a Republican mayor.”
In 2023, Johnson shocked the state when he announced in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that he was switching from the Democrat Party to the Republican Party. He cited his views on law enforcement, property taxes, and fiscal responsibility as reasons for the change.
Johnson spoke about his former affiliation during his speech, saying he spent most of his life identifying with the Democrat party.
“I spent most of my life as a Democrat, but a few years ago, I chose to follow a different course,” Johnson said. “I chose to join a party that believes in some fundamental truths, that public safety must be our top priority, that economic freedom is vital, that taxpayers and families deserve respect, and that pro-business politics create jobs and opportunity.”
Johnson added that he chose to leave the Democrat party, which he said was “determined to defund the police” and “puts criminals’ interests ahead of the law-abiding families they terrorize.”
The mayor then pointed to other left-leaning cities, including Chicago, Seattle, and New York City, where he criticized policies he said hindered job creation.
“My friends, the so-called warmth of collectivism is a stone cold lie,” Johnson said. “Today’s progressives don’t believe in giving hardworking Americans a square deal, a fair deal, or a new deal. Every time these extreme Democrat socialists grab power, all we get is a raw deal.”
Johnson said Dallas has taken a different approach by growing its police department, reducing crime and homelessness, and cutting property taxes each year.
“Here, our actual political goal is to become America’s safest and most business-friendly city,” said Johnson. “Here in Dallas, we’re choosing to build America’s next financial capital, which we proudly call ‘Y’all’s Street.’”
Johnson concluded his speech by speaking as a former Democrat and urging voters to reject what he described as a path toward socialism.
“Trust me when I say this. We can’t afford to let the Democrat party take America down the road to socialism and failure,” Johnson said. “This November, choose up, not down. Choose prosperity over decline. Choose lower taxes over bigger government. Choose law and order over criminals and chaos. Choose the values that made America and its cities great.”
