DMA Statement on Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democratic Mayors Association (DMA) President Mayor Levar M. Stoney issued the following statement in response to Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson’s recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece announcing he was switching to the Republican party:

“The Democratic Mayors Association is disappointed by today’s announcement by Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson to switch his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. This decision is not only a disservice to the people of Dallas, who reelected him as a Democrat just four months ago under our party’s values, but also to his fellow Democratic Mayors in cities around the country who have been fighting alongside him every day. We also are deeply disturbed by his inaccurate claims about the state of the Democratic Party and of our nation’s cities. 

Democratic Mayors are on the front lines of our nation’s most pressing issues, including working to stop crime and gun violence, a top priority Mayors. In the past three years, Democratic Mayors have invested billions into policing and public safety. We are holding people accountable when they commit crimes and doing everything we can to prevent it from happening. In fact, just today, President Biden, alongside Congressional Democrats and partners, announced the first-ever White House Office for Gun Violence Prevention, one of many steps Democrats are taking to make our nation safer. 

Our nation’s cities are far from being in disarray – and instead are thriving because they are being led by Democrats who lead with their values and make strategic investments on behalf of all residents. Democratic Mayors fight daily to protect our communities’ civil liberties and are champions of equity, inclusion, and equality. 

It is a shame that Mayor Johnson has forgotten the true impact Democrats have had on our country over the past few years, especially in his city. Dallas has largely been successful during Mayor Johnson’s tenure due to the hard work of Democrats delivering on their promises with the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Inflation Reduction Act. Under the leadership of President Biden, Vice President Harris, and our Democratic Mayors, our nation has not only weathered a pandemic but come out stronger because of Democratic leadership at all levels of government, especially at the local level. American cities don’t need “Republicans,” they need Democratic leaders who get things done.”

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