A Democratic Georgia state lawmaker has many wondering if he is going to #WalkAway from his party after his abrupt decision to step down.
Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones announced Wednesday that he has “left the plantation” and would not be completing his term, making the surprising statement just more than a week after declaring that he was endorsing President Donald Trump.
(Source: CBS46 Atlanta)
“I’m sick and tired of me and my family being attacked and harassed by the Democrat Party for putting my country before my party,” Jones said in a statement to CBS 46 in Atlanta.
“I take pride in being an independent thinker. My first amendment right to freedom of speech is under siege,” he added. “I intend to help the Democrat Party get rid of its bigotry against Black people that are independent and conservative.”
Jones, who was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2016, had ignited instant attacks by Democrats and liberals calling him out as a “traitor” among other things for supporting Trump. He warned in a tweet on Tuesday that “Black Americans are waking up” and that an “uprising is near.”
I’ve seen more Democrats attack me for my decision to endorse @realDonaldTrump than ask me why.
They’ve used and abused folks in my community for far too long, taking our votes for granted.
Black Americans are waking up. An uprising is near.
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 21, 2020
“I endorsed the White guy (Donald J. Trump) that let Blacks out of jail, and they endorsed the White guy (Joe Biden) that put Blacks in jail,” Jones said in is statement Wednesday.
“Turn the lights off, I have left the plantation. Someone else can occupy that suite,” he declared. “Therefore, I intend not to complete my term effective April 22, 2020. However, I will remain woke and vigilant in educating and fighting for my people.”
He called out the left in a tweet on Wednesday saying they “can’t control me” and “can stay mad” at him.
The Left hates me because they can’t control me.
They can stay mad.
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 22, 2020
Jones came under heavy fire last week after he made his controversial announcement to endorse Trump and then again when he praised the president’s handling of the U.S. economy and his efforts to help the African-American community.
‘Walk away’: Georgia Dem who endorsed Trump predictably attacked, but doubles down…and then some https://t.co/wwfLGyR5DW
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) April 17, 2020
“Let me be clear about one thing: I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party left me,” Jones said in a video message released last week, after noting that he has been a “lifelong Democrat.”
Democratic Party of Georgia chairwoman Nikema Williams denounced Jones and said he “does not stand for our values” while Chairman of the DeKalb County Democratic Party John Jackson tweeted that Jones’ endorsement of Trump rather than presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee Joe Biden was “in no way acceptable.”
Though the decision by Jones to resign Wednesday sparked questions about a potential split from the Democrat Party, he clarified that he would remain to hold other members “accountable.”
“I don’t plan to leave the Democratic Party because somebody’s got to be in there to hold them accountable, hold them accountable to how they are treating black people (and) root out the bigotry,” he said in a fiery interview on “The Rashad Richey Morning Show” after he announced his resignation Wednesday.
.@RepVernonJones to @Rashad1380 : “I don’t care what the Democrat Party does to me. What are they going to do? Spank me?”
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 22, 2020
Adding more salt to their wounds, Jones took to Twitter after his announcement to declare he would be “doing all I can to re-elect @realDonaldTrump,” adding a nod to the president’s slogan, “We will Make America Great Again.”
Earlier today, I made the decision to not seek re-election to the Georgia House of Representatives.
I look forward, however, to continuing to serve my community in other ways and doing all I can to re-elect @realDonaldTrump.
We will Make America Great Again 🇺🇸
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 22, 2020
He also gave “radical Democrats” an ominous warning:
I look forward to committing my full energy to the re-election of @realDonaldTrump and ensuring that the radical Democrats that have overtaken my party suffer a resounding defeat. https://t.co/WdbNPnBsO6
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 22, 2020
And while his own party continued to trash him, many Twitter users applauded his resolve.
You need to #WalkAway – We will welcome you with open arms
— Todd Headlee (@ToddHeadleeAZ) April 22, 2020
Good for you sir. Your bravery is to be commended
— JMac (@mnspje) April 22, 2020
Thank you @repvernonjones. Your honesty and courage is very appreciated. 4 more years of @realDonaldTrump!!!!!!
— LittleOne (@RealLittleOne) April 22, 2020
God Bless you and thank you for your courage. We need more people like you that choose what is best for Americans over their party or any special interests!
— Scott Raposo (@ScottRaposo1) April 22, 2020
— loveberry😍💋 (@obasiloveth1) April 22, 2020
Run for House or Senate as a Republican
We need help nationally and you seem very willing to work across party lines
— SuzieQ🇺🇸 (@NovemberMatters) April 22, 2020
Georgians thank you for your service as well as helping us re-elect @POTUS
— thubbs 🇺🇸✝️⭐️⚾️🐎 (@turnin2_) April 22, 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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