Presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott came to Dallas on Tuesday to meet with Mayor Eric Johnson and welcome him to the Republican Party.
The two discussed bringing Republican policies to American cities and the importance of law enforcement and public safety — two of Johnson’s top three administrative priorities.
“I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Senator [Tim Scott] this morning,” Johnson said on social media. “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.”
The meeting took place less than two weeks after Johnson announced he was joining the Republican Party, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. He later said that Democrats’ support of the “Defund the Police” movement heavily influenced his decision.
“I look forward to meeting with other allies who believe in strong, safe, and vibrant cities,” he continued in his social media post. “I remain committed to continuing our successful efforts here in Dallas for the next four years.”
Mayor Johnson boasted to Scott that the metroplex is home to 25 Fortune 500 companies, 11 of which are in Dallas proper. He also told the senator about his ongoing mission to add more parks and green spaces throughout the city as the two politicians strolled through Klyde Warren Park.
“I’m real proud of what we’ve been able to do here in the city with our green spaces,” Johnson said. Scott agreed that it is important for urban communities to maintain vibrant parks.
After the two had lunch at a local Mi Cocina, Scott told the media that meeting with Mayor Johnson was a “positive treat,” describing him as a “strong, powerful, positive person who is making a difference in his community.”
He said Johnson gave him “a couple pieces of advice” that he found to be “helpful for our country and specifically for the black community.” Scott said that Johnson stressed “the importance of playing by the rules” and “having real respect for law enforcement.”
“A few years ago, I first met Mayor Eric Johnson at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ church,” Scott said on social media. “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.”
As previously covered by The Dallas Express, Johnson has said that Democrats’ support of the “Defund the Police” movement was one of the key factors behind his decision to leave the party and become a Republican. Another was the Dallas City Council’s recent approval of the largest budget in Dallas history, which will be paid for through a $120 million increase in property taxes.
When asked in a radio interview about the Republican presidential primary, Johnson declined to endorse a candidate and said he is still “taking in information like everybody else.”
In his initial announcement, Johnson said he would “refrain from endorsing candidates seeking partisan political office” while serving as mayor of Dallas. However, he does plan on voting in the Republican primary next spring.
Since the announcement, a movement to recall Johnson has sprung up, with the local chapter of the Democratic Party publicly calling for the mayor to resign.
The Dallas County Democratic Party claimed Johnson “[k]nowingly portrayed himself as a lifelong Democratic voter and representative throughout his re-election campaign for mayor,” as previously reported by The Dallas Express.