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At The Blaze, Chris Pandolfo reports that Georgia State Representative Vernon Jones, a lifelong Democrat, has joined the GOP. He writes:
The Trump-supporting state lawmaker and former chief executive officer for DeKalb County announced on Wednesday that he is officially leaving the Democratic Party and joining the GOP.
“Now more than ever, the Republican Party is in desperate need of leaders that know how to fight. I know how to fight,” Jones tweeted.
Moments ago, I announced that I am officially joining the Republican Party.
Now more than ever, the Republican Party is in desperate need of leaders that know how to fight.
I know how to fight.
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) January 6, 2021
Jones earned national attention last April when, as a Democrat, he endorsed President Donald Trump for re-election, saying that Trump’s handling of the economy and his support for criminal justice reform had earned his support. Since then he’s campaigned for Republicans in Georgia, including Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, and attracted scorn and derision from the left.
In recent interviews, he’s said that the Republican Party needs to improve its outreach to black voters.
“The face of the Republican party is going to be African-American men,” Jones told Newsmax TV host Rob Schmitt Tuesday night as the returns from the Georgia runoff special election were counted. “African-American men, 2 million more voted for the president. The president has cracked the wall on getting African-American men votes.”
