Dallas political scene braces for Eddie Bernice Johnson’s announcement on her future

Will she, or won’t she?

The prospect that U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson will soon announce her retirement has Dallas politicos maneuvering to get in position to replace her in Congress, and others just anxious to watch the unique spectacle unfold.

Johnson, 85, has scheduled a news conference for Saturday at the Kirkwood Temple CME Church in Oak Cliff to discuss her future. Though the speculation is that she will retire as representative for Congressional District 30, no one can rule out that she’ll announce that she’s running for another term. Her office isn’t talking. Neither is Johnson.

That makes Saturday’s event potentially one of the most memorable moments in Dallas political history.

“You haven’t had a retirement or an announcement to run for reelection that garnered this much interest,” said Democratic Party strategist Matt Angle. “Eddie Bernice Johnson is the only person to have served in that district. She’s the person that drew the district. She has the right to handle her announcement the way she wants, but it’s important that she clarifies her intention.”

The event was originally scheduled to be a picnic for Democratic Party activists and judicial candidates. Earlier this week Johnson’s campaign issued a news release and sent flyers to supporters asking them to “please join me for an important announcement.”

So at noon on Saturday, Johnson will presumably say whether she’s running for reelection, or retiring. Johnson alone would be enough of a draw to make the even significant. But she’s expected to share the stage with Democrats looking to succeed her in Congress, if she decides to retire.

State Rep. Carl Sherman, D-DeSoto, is the emcee for the program. State Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas and also a potential contender, is expected to be on stage.

Sherman, who shied away from giving details about the event, confirmed he would lead the program.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

Other contenders will either be in the crowd, or preparing strategies and announcements of their own, depending on what Johnson does.

This week state Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, has been widely mentioned as a candidate to replace Johnson, if she retires. Crockett told The News that she would consider running for the District 30 seat, if Johnson does not seek reelection.

Jane Hamilton, who directed President Joe Biden’s Texas primary campaign, started an exploratory committee in anticipation of a District 30 campaign. She’s poised to run for the seat, if Johnson retires.

Candidates already running in District 30 include Dallas lawyer Abel Mulugheta, small-business owner Shenita Cleveland, and progressive Democrat Jessica Mason.

Potential contenders include state Reps. Yvonne Davis and Toni Rose, both of Dallas, along with former state District Judge Elizabeth Frizell of Dallas. Former state Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway, along with Hasani Burton and Cleveland, challenged Johnson in the 2020 Democratic primary. Johnson racked over 70% of the vote. Cleveland was second with 13%. Caraway, a former Dallas City Council member, has made five attempts to unseat Johnson.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson could also be considering a campaign to replace Johnson.

If Johnson retires, expect a flurry of announcements over the weekend and before the candidate filing period ends on December 13.

Another factor to consider. Johnson could announce her retirement and quickly endorse a candidate as her successor. That would bring even more clarity to the contest, depending on her choice.

For years Johnson has been making decisions about whether to return to Washington on a term-by-term basis, and she’s always opted for another two years in office. Reasons for staying on the Hill has ranged from pushing the agenda of then-President Barack Obama to resisting the policies of former President Donald Trump. In 2019 she said she was running for another term in anticipation of her friend, Joe Biden, being elected president.

Johnson is a Dallas icon. The former Texas House member and state senator has an elementary school that bears her name. Union Station is also named for her. She’s represented the district since 1993, and still enjoys an overwhelming approval rating.

A group of ministers have taken out ads in the Black press urging Johnson to stay in Congress.

On Saturday we’ll see if she’s out of reasons to run for another term, or if she’ll continue her legislative career.