A leading Democrat in Georgia broke party ranks on Tuesday to endorse President Donald Trump’s reelection — and the news left other liberal leaders in the state stunned.
Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones, an African-American Democrat that represents portions of metro Atlanta’s DeKalb and Rockdale counties, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he’s 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 told the newspaper.
The move comes as national Democrats like former President Barack Obama have rallied around 2020 Democratic nominee-to-be Joe Biden.
Jones said he wouldn’t join them.
“It’s very simple to me,” he noted. “President Trump’s handling of the economy, his support for historically black colleges, and his criminal justice initiatives drew me to endorse his campaign.”
The shock endorsement provides Trump a surrogate to make inroads with more African-American voters –– according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution only 16 percent of DeKalb County voted for Trump.
With Jones publicly in tow, it could influence other politicians in critical swing states to follow suit and break from the Democratic standard.
Jones’ endorsement 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 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. Jone was also accused last month of using “transphobic comments” on a local official.
Jones did not immediately return phone and email messages seeking comment when contacted by The Associated Press.
Community activist Rhonda Taylor is challenging Jones in the state’s Democratic primary, which is scheduled for June 9.
The Associated Press contributed to this article