Democratic state Rep. Vernon Jones made headlines when he announced he would be endorsing President Donald Trump for re-election. The politician has now announced Wednesday morning that he would not complete his term.
The controversial Georgia politician isn’t a stranger to garnering attention for his opinions. Even though he is a Democrat, he doesn’t align with the party’s interests. In 2000, he endorsed Democrat Howard Dean’s presidential bid but voted for Republican George W. Bush. In 2007, he said he backed the idea of a “fair tax,” which is a flat tax proposal that has some support in conservative and libertarian circles. During the 2008 campaign, Barack Obama called out Jones for sending out a mailer with a manipulated photo that showed the two on the same stage.
In a press statement, Jones announced his support and decided it was time for him to step down from public office. “Turn the lights off, I have left the plantation,” Jones said in a statement released to CBS 46 in Atlanta. “I intend to help the Democrat Party get rid of its bigotry against black people that are independent and conservative. Someone else can occupy that suite. Therefore, I intend not to complete my term effective April 22, 2020.” His spokesman went on to say that the Democratic politician would not be seeking re-election.
Jones, who represents counties outside of Atlanta, said Trump is the country’s only option. “The results speak for themselves,” he continued. “With his hand on the wheel, the stock market broke record after record, wages and job growth exploded and unemployment dropped down to record lows. Given his track record, President Trump is best prepared to lead our economy back to record highs after we beat the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“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,” Jones explained his departure on The Rashad Richey Morning Show shortly after announcing his resignation. After a fiery and, at times, combative discussion, Jones ended the interview early, prompting Richey to say: “Hang up on this clown, please.”