Tipsheet

Georgia Dem Who Backed Trump Now Says He Won't Resign

Democratic state Rep. Vernon Jones says he won't be resigning after all. The Georgia lawmaker previously said on Wednesday that he'd be stepping down following a wave of backlash over his support for President Trump's reelection.

"Turn the lights off, I have left the plantation," the representative said in a statement on Wednesday. "Someone else can occupy that suite. Therefore, I intend not to complete my term effective April 22, 2020."

But on Thursday, Rep. Jones reversed course, citing an outpouring of support that was too great for the Democratic lawmaker to ignore. 

Earlier this month, the lifelong Democrat announced his support for President Trump and his intention to help re-elect Trump to a second term in November. The lawmaker pointed to Trump's record on criminal justice reform, low levels of unemployment in the African American community (pre-coronavirus), as well as Trump's support for historically black colleges and universities. 

"I didn't leave the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party left me," Rep. Jones said in a video posted to Twitter.

Party officials in the state are now lining up behind Jones' challenger in the June 9th Democratic primary. And Jones isn't the only state representative to buck the Democratic Party. Michigan State Rep. Karen Whitsett is now facing a censure after the black lawmaker credited her recovery from the coronavirus to President Trump and his support of the drug hydroxychloroquine. 

Editor's Note: Want to support Townhall so we can keep telling the truth about China and the virus they unleashed on the world? Join Townhall VIP and use the promo code WUHAN to get 25% off VIP membership!