NDG’s View
Eric Johnson, who has served for ten years as a state representative, earned a new job, Mayor of the City of Dallas. Despite being the last to enter the field to replace term-limited Mayor Mike Rawlings, Johnson ultimately prevailed to become the 60th mayor of the ninth largest city in the United States.
“I decided in this case, and I’ve decided so many times in the past: Why wait?” Johnson told supporters Saturday night. “Why hope somebody else will come along and solve the problem? If you’re capable of solving it, step up to the plate and offer yourself as a solution. And that’s how I got into this race.”
Johnson, a West Dallas native, is only the second African American selected by the voters to serve as the leader of the city. In what was a hotly contested runoff race, Johnson’s victory was evident when the polls closed, and citizens learned he had received 58 percent of the early votes. Ultimately, he defeated Dallas City Councilman Scott Griggs in 56 percent to 44 percent margin.
The North Dallas Gazette endorsed Johnson in the race, in part because of the coalition of support he built across the political, social, and economic spectrum. While we want a leader willing to make the hard decisions and say no when it is in the best interest of the city, a consensus builder is critical also.
One concern raised during the campaign was the generous support Johnson received from North Dallas and the business elite. However, Johnson continued to point to diverse support as a positive example of his leadership and independence.
“I did not run for mayor at anybody’s urging or insistence,” he said. “I’m not anybody’s tool. I’m not anybody’s fool. I’m a person who loves Dallas. We had a choice to make whether we were going to double down on division and name calling and lack of decorum and lack of unity of purpose and lack of unity of spirit, or we were going to change direction.”
Dallas is at a critical crossroads and cannot continue to kick the can down the road on issues such as the staff shortage at the Dallas Police Department. This has led to the governor sending law enforcement to help following a month which ended with 42 murders and citizens learned that in a city of nearly 1.2 million residents the force had less than 20 detectives to handle these investigations until reassignments were made.
Rapid and consistent growth for more than 10 years is laying bare the challenges we are facing as it relates to our infrastructure. From road repairs to the fact a rain storm can reportedly knock out 40 percent of the traffic signals. The same storm left more than 300,000 without power, with full restoration not forecasted before Thursday at the earliest. Then there is the growing affordable housing crisis and rapidly rising homelessness, which is having a tremendous impact on the school district.
The list of challenges facing the Mayor-Elect Johnson when he raises his hand on Monday, June 17 to take the oath of office at his inauguration, is extensive. However, coming from humble begins, his father was a Dallas Police officer, Johnson’s academic abilities were noticed. He was selected to participate in a joint venture between the Boys Clubs and Greenhill School. The young Johnson faced the challenge and graduated from the prestigious private school in 1994 and then earned an undergraduate degree, with honors, from Harvard University, a graduate degree from Princeton University, and eventually a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
The remaining council races
Carolyn King Arnold, also endorsed by the North Dallas Gazette, prevailed against political newcomer Dawn Blair in District 4. Arnold earned a full term to deliver on her promises to develop smart economics initiatives to address housing and transportation issues. She also promised to create workforce and education opportunities through vocational training.
Adam Bazaldua’s victory in District 7, replacing one-term councilman Kevin Felder and defeating former council member Tiffinni A. Young, is just as historic as Johnson’s. With his victory, the Dallas City Council has four Hispanic members for the first time in history.
His campaign was impressive and even more impressive has been how hard he has worked since the storm on Sunday. He has organized meals, consistently shared critical storm updates, and been in the streets with his sleeves rolled up to help the community he serves.
Paula Blackmon captured victory to represent District 9 where she promised to work with the district to improve Dallas ISD and address the property tax burden the district’s homeowners have faced. Like many in the race, public safety was one of her primary focuses. One area of concern from those who preferred her opponent Erin Moore is if Blackmon will protect White Rock Lake from private developers. She pledged to “prioritize the overall wellbeing of the lake.
David Blewett defeated incumbent Philip Kingston in a heated race in District 14. Kingston had developed a reputation as a strong voice against the status quo in city politics. Blewett, who had run for the seat prior to Kingston’s time on the council, said the current councilmember had become “too divisive.”
