Vernon Jones is making headlines again. This time, the democrat is under fire from his own party after an unexpected endorsement of Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
Jones, who has stayed largely out of the spotlight in recent years, was the former CEO of DeKalb County and has always been a polarizing figure in Georgia politics. Jones now serves in the state house of representatives where he represents District 91, covering parts of DeKalb and Rockdale counties.
Jones told the AJC on Tuesday that he would be endorsing Donald Trump as president.
“It’s very simple to me. President Trump’s handling of the economy, his support for historically black colleges and his criminal justice initiatives drew me to endorse his campaign,” Jones told the newspaper.
Jones also pointed out that his support for Trump does not mean he is switching parties. He still identifies as a democrat.
Jones was harshly rebuffed by Democratic Part of Georgia chairwoman Nikema Williams, who called him an “embarrassment” to the party.
“Vernon Jones is an embarrassment to the Democratic Party and does not stand for our values. Never has that been clearer than this moment, when he chose to stand with the racist president who has made an all-out assault on Black Americans, who has tried to rip away American health care, and who has failed our country in its greatest time of need during the most important election in our lifetimes. Vernon Jones doesn’t speak for Georgians, and neither does Donald Trump — which is why Georgians will send him home in November 2020,” Williams said in a statement.
You can read more of what Jones had to say to the AJC here.
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