Texas City Mayor Dedrick Johnson recently faced calls for his resignation after critics presented a recall petition to city hall. Despite this pressure, Johnson has firmly stated he will not step down, defending his position and leadership.
The petition, which contains around 1,600 signatures, was submitted by Wayne Dolcefino, the head of Dolcefino Media, a consulting firm. This number exceeds the required signatures according to the city charter, but Johnson remains resolute.
Recall Petition Details and Public Opinion
Wayne Dolcefino, whose firm organized the recall petition, emphasized that many others wanted to sign but were too afraid of facing retaliation.
“That speaks volumes,” Dolcefino said, suggesting that fear and intimidation might be widespread in the city. The petition now sets the stage for a possible recall election, depending on whether the signatures are certified.
Mayor Johnson was elected last year without opposition, but the pressure to resign has been mounting. Despite his critics, Johnson insists that he will not step down, stating that he was elected by the citizens of Texas City and stands by his leadership.
Accusations of Intimidation and Officer Departures
One of the more serious claims against Johnson comes from Rachael Spahr, the President of the Texas City Municipal Police Association.
She argues that Johnson’s leadership style has led to a toxic work environment, with 36 officers leaving the force over the past two years. Spahr says that she attempted to address these concerns with the mayor, but her efforts were ignored.
In response to these accusations, Johnson produced emails from October 2024, which he claims show that the police union declined to meet with him. He strongly denied the claim of creating an intimidating atmosphere, stating, “When people say that there’s a spirit of fear in city hall, that’s 100 percent false.”
Legal Process for Recall
According to the city charter, a recall petition requires the signatures of 50% of the voters who participated in the most recent election.
In the May 2024 election, only 2,020 people cast their votes, which means that 1,010 valid signatures are required to trigger a recall. Since the petition already includes 1,600 signatures, it easily surpasses the minimum requirement.
Once the petition is certified, the mayor would have five days to resign. If Johnson refuses to resign, the city commission must schedule a recall election within 45 to 60 days.
Johnson remains confident that the citizens of Texas City will support him in the election, pointing to his achievements in the city as proof of his leadership’s effectiveness.
Historical Context of Recall Efforts
This situation is not the first time a recall effort has been made in the region. A similar attempt was made to recall former Dickinson Mayor Sean Skipworth, but it failed when the city council determined that the petition did not meet legal standards. Skipworth ultimately chose not to seek re-election.
While Johnson is confident in his position, the recall petition adds a layer of uncertainty to his future as mayor. The outcome of the petition and any potential election will depend on the certification process and the voters’ decision.
Mayor Dedrick Johnson’s defiance against the recall effort highlights the ongoing tension between leadership and public opinion in Texas City.
With accusations of intimidation from the police union and a petition with significant support, the situation is far from settled. Johnson’s refusal to resign will lead to a critical decision from the city’s voters, determining the future of his leadership in the coming months.
