So much for being the party of tolerance, acceptance, and open-mindedness.
Vernon Jones, the Georgia Democratic lawmaker who endorsed President Trump for reelection, has suddenly resigned.
“I intend to help the Democrat party get rid of its bigotry against Black people that are independent and conservative,” Jones said in his resignation statement.
“Turn the lights off, I have left the plantation,” he added.
Jones’ resignation comes as a shock, as he was running for reelection this year.
In his resignation statement, Jones noted that he has seen more attacks from Democrats for his decision to endorse the president, rather than asking him why.
The resignation comes just days after he endorsed the president.
Though he is resigning, Jones promised “full energy” as he will fight for the president’s reelection.
More on this developing story, including the hateful backlash from Democrats, below:
Several conservative commentators such as Candace Owens view Jones' resignation as part of the so-called #Blexit ("black exit") movement.
Similar to #WalkAway, #Blexit is an online movement where black voters walk away from the Democrat party.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution has more details on Jones' resignation amid hateful backlash from Democrats:
A little more than a week after endorsing Republican President Donald Trump for re-election, Democratic state Rep. Vernon Jones announced Wednesday that he would not complete his term — triggering a special election.
“Turn the lights off, I have left the plantation,” the controversial ex-DeKalb County CEO said in a statement. Jones said he was not switching political parties but would work for Trump’s re-election. “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 said on “The Rashad Richey Morning Show” shortly after announcing his resignation.After a fiery and, at times, combative discussion, Jones ended the radio interview early, prompting Richey to say: “Hang up on this clown, please.”
What exactly happens next for his district, House District 91, is unclear. Jones was expected to formally submit his resignation Wednesday, as well as his withdrawal as a candidate from the June primary.
Jones was preparing for a Democratic primary rematch against Rhonda Taylor, a legal services staffer from Conyers, whom he defeated in 2016. There is no Republican on the ballot, making Taylor the presumptive representative in January. “I think he made the right decision,” Taylor said of Jones’ resignation. “We appreciate his service and wish him luck in whatever endeavor he embarks upon next.”
The party that calls itself included and open-minded has instead called a black representative racial slurs for supporting President Trump.
Still, Vernon Jones is holding true to his convictions and hopes that he can help other black Democrats think beyond the Democrat talking points and vilification of the Republican party.
When asked about the fierce backlash from Democrats, Jones suspected that people were upset that a black man endorsed "the white guy."
Though he has resigned, Jones will join the reelection campaign fight for Donald Trump.
The New York Post has more details:
The member of the Georgia House of Representatives also explained why he threw his support behind Trump.
“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,” he said.
Jones, who represents counties outside of Atlanta, said Trump is the “leader our country needed.”
“The results speak for themselves. 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,” he said.
Democratic Party of Georgia chairwoman Nikema Williams said Jones, who faces a Democratic primary opponent, “does not stand for our values” after he endorsed Trump.
President Trump has vowed that he will fight for more black voters than any other Republican president in history.
As the #WalkAway and #Blexit movements grow, Trump's promise appears to be coming true.
Jones says he doesn't currently intend to switch parties, but if the Democrats keep harrassing him, he may change his mind.
We wouldn't blame him.
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