A new recall petition has been filed against Texas City Mayor Dedrick Johnson after the first attempt fell short. Organizers say they now have the signatures needed, while police investigate allegations of petition fraud.
Texas City Mayor Dedrick Johnson is facing another recall push after critics submitted a supplemental petition, which organizers say exceeds the required number of signatures.
A renewed effort to oust Texas City Mayor Dedrick Johnson is advancing, as proponents have presented a supplemental petition that they assert surpasses the necessary signature threshold to trigger an election.
A fresh petition was submitted on Friday, occurring less than two weeks after the initial attempt narrowly missed the mark by just seven signatures, as reported by city officials. According to the charter of Texas City, supporters of the recall initiative were allotted a period of 10 days to submit further signatures.
Officials from the City Secretary's office face a deadline this Friday to confirm the validity of the signatures. As of Monday, Galveston County election officials reported that the city had not initiated a request for them to start reviewing the list, resulting in what one official characterized as an “administrative standoff.”
The recall campaign has emerged as one of the most intense political battles in Galveston County in recent years. Since taking office in 2020 as the city’s first Black mayor, Johnson has encountered backlash following his veto of a proposed Margaritaville resort community last fall. Critics have also charged him with exercising “dictatorial control” over the city commission and mismanaging matters within the police department.
The Texas City Municipal Police Association (TCMPA) is spearheading a recall initiative, asserting that ineffective leadership has played a significant role in the departure of nearly 50 officers from the department since 2023. The petition drive has garnered backing from Dolcefino Consulting, a firm led by former TV investigative reporter Wayne Dolcefino, who has labeled Johnson as the “Dictator of Texas City.”
Following the dismissal of the initial petition, authorities in Texas City launched an inquiry into potential fraudulent activities. Authorities reported that multiple submissions were invalidated due to issues such as unregistered voters, incomplete details, or the inclusion of names belonging to deceased individuals. Authorities have verified at least one case of forgery and are collaborating with the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office to assess the possibility of filing charges.
In a recent video message, Johnson stood by his record, labeling the allegations as “baseless” and “harmful.” During his time in office, he has highlighted the addition of over 5,000 homes and new businesses to the city, featuring well-known names such as Texas Roadhouse, Five Below, and Burlington.
“I believe the outcome will mirror that of the previous three elections in Texas City,” Johnson stated to ABC13. “The community will rally to demonstrate their support for Dedrick Johnson as their next mayor.”
Should the petition receive validation and Johnson fails to resign within a five-day window, the city commission is obligated to initiate a recall election within 45 to 60 days. The upcoming citywide election is slated for May.
Johnson's journey began with his election as mayor in 2020, and he faced no challengers in the subsequent elections of 2022 and 2024. He has a long history of public service, having dedicated 16 years to the city commission.
