Republican Vernon Jones exits run for Georgia governor. Here’s what he’s planning next
UPDATE:
Former President Donald Trump is throwing his support behind Republican Vernon Jones, days after the former Georgia state representative ditched his bid for governor to run for U.S. Congress.
In a video message posted online, Trump lauded Jones as “a very special person” gunning for Georgia’s 10th Congressional District. The area covers a large swath of the state east and southeast of Atlanta, according to GovTrack.
“He’s an ’America First’ fighter who will never back down to either the establishment or the radical left,” Trump said. “Few fought harder for election integrity in 2020 than Vernon. ... He has my complete and total endorsement. Vernon will not let you down.”
ORIGINAL:
Republican and former state Rep. Vernon Jones says he’s no longer looking to become Georgia’s next governor and will turn his attention to a new political race instead.
Jones announced he was dropping out of the governor’s race in a statement posted to his Twitter account Monday, Feb. 7, saying the decision came “after much prayer & consideration.”
“I have decided that I can best serve the people of Georgia in the Congress of the United States,” he wrote. “I believe that strong conservative voices need to be heard as we lead America into the future. Because of this decision I am officially withdrawing my candidacy for Governor effective today.”
Jones said he is throwing his support behind ex-U.S. Senator and fellow Republican David Perdue in the race for Georgia governor. Perdue, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, will face off against incumbent Brian Kemp, a Republican, and possibly Democratic hopeful Stacey Abrams if he wins his party’s primary election.
“He is a good man who loves our state and loves our country,” Jones said of Perdue.
The former Democrat, who said he ”left the plantation” (aka his seat in the Georgia House) to support Trump’s re-election efforts in 2020, is believed to be gunning for a vacant seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jones’ office has not confirmed which House race he plans to enter.
Jones has asked for Georgians’ continued support as he eyes a seat in the U.S. Congress and promised, “Together as conservatives we will Take Georgia back.”
This story was originally published February 7, 2022 at 5:07 PM.