A Dem lawmaker from Georgia is revolting against his own party’s leaders and is endorsing President Trump because of his record especially with African Americans.
State Rep. Vernon Jones said that President Trump was a transformative figure: “A philosopher once said, ‘One courageous man in the crowd is a majority.’ I’ve got the courage to express my convictions.”
“I believe that Donald Trump is the best person to lead this country going forward.”
“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 said.
“This is not about switching parties. There are a lot of African Americans who clearly see and appreciate he’s doing something that’s never been done before,” Jones added.
“When you look at the unemployment rates among black Americans before the pandemic, they were at historic lows. That’s just a fact.”
AJC reported that the former chief executive of DeKalb County, the state’s biggest Democratic stronghold, Jones completed a political comeback in 2016 by winning a seat in the Georgia House, where he launched his political career in the early 1990s.
Before his win 4 years ago returning him to the state Capriol, Jones mounted unsuccessful runs for the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House and DeKalb sheriff.
His stint as the county’s leader was marked by controversy.
A special grand jury in 2013 recommended an investigation in allegations against Jones of bid-rigging and theft when he was CEO, but the then-district attorney said he lacked evidence to show any crimes had occurred. Jones is quick to highlight his efforts to shore up the county’s finances and boost green space.
