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A Democratic Georgia state lawmaker is standing by his decision to buck his party and endorse President Donald Trump despite the backlash he’s received.
Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones doubled down on his announced support for the president in a video message he shared explaining his reasoning and flipping the narrative that asks “why would a black man support Donald Trump?”
.@realDonaldTrump has done more for black Americans than any other President in modern history.
Would a “racist” do that?
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 16, 2020
Jones, who was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2016, praised Trump’s handling of the U.S. economy and his efforts to help the African-American community when he made his controversial announcement on Tuesday.
“I believe that Donald Trump is the best person to lead this country going forward,” he said, sparking instant attacks by Democrats and liberals calling him out on social media as a “traitor” among other things.
But Jones posted a video message addressing the critics and reiterating that his support for Trump transcends party and he remains a Democrat. His tweet notably included the “walk away” hashtag used by many former and current Democrats that have had enough of the party’s corruption and partisan games, and are supporting Trump.
I’m a Georgia State Representative and lifelong Democrat. But in this election, I’ll be casting my vote for @realdonaldtrump.
I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The Party left me. #MAGA #KAG #WalkAway pic.twitter.com/BUs4kRZ7JG
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 15, 2020
“Let me be clear about one thing: I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party left me,” Jones said, after noting that he has been a “lifelong Democrat.”
“One would say now, why would a black man support Donald Trump? Well, I would reverse that: Why wouldn’t a black man endorse Donald Trump?” Jones asked.
Many Democrats have asked how can I – as a black elected official – support @realDonaldTrump.
My response to them back is simple: how could I not?
Look at his results!
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 16, 2020
“Isn’t he the president that ushered in the lowest unemployment rate among blacks before the pandemic crisis?” he continued, adding Trump’s part in passing criminal justice reform legislation, known as the First Step Act, as well as his signing of the bill funding historically black colleges and universities.
“I 100 percent support Donald Trump,” Jones declared, calling on Americans to join him in reelecting the president.
The chairwoman of Georgia’s Democratic Party, Nikema Williams, had slammed Jones as an “embarrassment” in response to his announcement this week.
“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,” Williams said in a statement.
“Vernon Jones doesn’t speak for Georgians, and neither does Donald Trump — which is why Georgians will send him home in November 2020,” Williams added.
“All this statement shows is that there is no room for a free-thinking black man in the modern day Democratic Party,” Jones fired back in a tweet.
I’m an American first. All this statement shows is that there is no room for a free-thinking black man in the modern day Democratic Party.
Noted. https://t.co/76by4yHnyU
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 16, 2020
Jones shocked members of his party as he made his announcement just after former President Obama stepped up to announce his endorsement of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
“A generation of African American families have been devastated by draconian policies that Joe Biden supported and voted for when he served in the U.S. Senate,” Jones said in a statement to CBS 46. “A change was needed and President Trump took action.”
It’s a shame that some in my party would rather see this President fail – even in the midst of crisis – than support him in his efforts to ensure the well-being of the American people.
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 16, 2020
The lawmaker reiterated that he “wasn’t elected to represent the interests of the Democratic Party” but those of his community, in a tweet, adding that Trump has “delivered.”
I wasn’t elected to represent the interests of the Democratic Party. I was elected to represent the interests of my community.
And day after day, @realDonaldTrump has delivered for my community and that’s why I’m supporting him.
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 15, 2020
He further added that his choice comes from the a compulsion for “doing what’s right.”
I represent one of the bluest districts in the state of Georgia. My decision to support @realDonaldTrump has nothing to do with political expedience.
It’s simply about doing what’s right.
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 15, 2020
Jones continued to stand his ground against the fireballs aimed at him by members of his own party, declaring on Friday that the “color of my skin will never dictate my politics.”
The color of my skin will never dictate my politics.
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 17, 2020
Jones may be under fire from “tolerant” liberals but many Twitter users respected his stand on facts and principle.
Thank you, Representative.
We welcome you with open arms & open hearts.
— #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) April 15, 2020
Respect!
— Trey Clever (@garthdalton2020) April 17, 2020
Thank you for being the only adult in the room.
— fred wade (@Fred85202610) April 17, 2020
Mr Jones, you are displaying content of character sir. Something so many politicians both Dem & Rep fail to do in DC. Who cares what political party you belong to, what matters is choosing what you believe to be the best course of action for those that elected you to serve them
— Jimmy Harper (@HardWatch438) April 17, 2020
I’m a fellow Democrat who completely agrees
— NCFlorida (@NCFlorida) April 15, 2020
Your constituents see your bravery and they see your persecution! Stay the course, we’re gonna take our country back for the people! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/5jWgRgECMW
— The Mouthy Mom (@mouthyM0M) April 17, 2020
A sane Democrat…Wow!! Thought they were extinct.
— Velocitas Medicato (@m_pana) April 17, 2020
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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