Last Updated on April 15, 2020
Georgia State Rep. Vernon Jones, a Democrat invested in local politics since 1992, has endorsed President Donald Trump for the 2020 election, saying that the Democratic Party left him behind.
Jones announced his endorsement publicly in a video released on Twitter, writing that he is a “Georgia State Representative and a life long Democrat,” and adding that “In this election, I’ll be casting my vote for” President Trump.
In the video, Jones expands his statement, saying “Today I’ve announced my support and endorsement of Donald J Trump’s campaign reelection.”
“Now, let me be clear about one thing: I didn’t leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me,” Jones added, echoing President Ronald Reagan.
Jones also noted President Trump’s economy, pursuit of criminal justice reform, and dedication to funding historically black colleges and universities.
“One would say now, ‘Why would a black man support Donald Trump,'” said Jones. “I would reverse that, why wouldn’t a black man support Donald Trump?”
“Isn’t he the president that ushered in the lowest unemployment rate among blacks before the pandemic crisis? Isn’t he the president that signed the criminal justice reform act? And finally, isn’t he the president that overwhelmingly supported, financially, historical black colleges, of which I am a proud graduate,” Jones asked rhetorically.
Jones concluded his video by asking all Americans across various walks of life to join him in campaigning and voting for President 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 (@VernonForGA) April 15, 2020
Jones is the second Democrat legislator in recent weeks to express gratitude and support for President Trump.
Earlier this month, Michigan State Rep. Karen Whitsett, also a Democrat, publicly thanked President Trump for popularizing the possible coronavirus fighting drug hydroxychloroquine, crediting both the president and the drug for saving her life.
Michigan State House Rep. Karen Whitsett, who represents District 9 in Detroit, said Monday that she credits hydroxychloroquine and President Donald Trump with saving her from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Whitsett says she had heard of the positive effects of hydroxychloroquine before, but she would not have asked for or been given a prescription for the anti-malaria drug if President Trump had not repeatedly touted it during White House press conferences.
In 2016, despite near constant accusations of racism, President Trump received a higher percentage of the African American and Hispanic vote than failed 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
