Georgia Democrat Rep. Vernon Jones shocked his party and the country last week by endorsing Trump for president in 2020.
Conservatives praised Jones for thinking independently. Democrats basically disowned him.
Apparently, Jones also received a flood of threats. It got so bad that he decided to resign.
FOX 5 in Atlanta reports:
Georgia Democratic lawmaker resigning after endorsing Trump
A polarizing Democratic state lawmaker in Georgia says that he is resigning after he broke party ranks to endorse President Donald Trump’s reelection.
State Rep. Vernon Jones, who represents parts of DeKalb and Rockdale counties, said that he will not complete his current term because was “sick and tired of me and my family being attacked and harassed by the Democratic Party.”
Earlier in April, Jones said that he was supporting Trump because of the Republican president’s handling of the economy and his criminal justice reform efforts.
“There are a lot of African Americans who clearly see and appreciate he’s doing something that’s never been done before,” Jones said at the time.
Jones previously served as DeKalb County’s CEO and is no stranger to controversy. He weathered allegations of theft as the county’s chief executive, has often clashed with his fellow Democrats on policy issues and was accused last month of hurling transphobic comments at a local official.
Jones’ endorsement of Trump was quickly blasted by other Georgia Democrats. State Sen. Nikema Williams, chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, issued a statement calling Jones an “embarrassment” and said he “does not stand for our values.”
Jones has addressed the situation on Twitter:
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
The Left hates me because they can’t control me.
They can stay mad.
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 22, 2020
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
Thanks to you all, I am almost at 50,000 followers.
While my party may have left me, freedom-loving, country over party Americans have embraced me.
Thank you, all. Our work is only just beginning.
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 23, 2020
It’s a shame that he had to resign from his job.
This situation reflects very poorly on Democrats.
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