Vernon Jones in 2022 GA Governor's race


On Abortion: Opposed anti-abortion "heartbeat" bill enacted in Georgia

Jones must answer for a long history of controversy in public office that includes allegations of sexual assault that he has denied, along with votes that could alienate Republicans such as Jones' opposition to a strict anti-abortion "heartbeat" measure that Kemp signed into law in 2019.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2022 Georgia Governor race Apr 16, 2021

On Civil Rights: Lawsuit: he wanted a "darker administration" as county CEO

Four DeKalb workers filed a lawsuit that claimed Jones worked to replace white managers in the Parks Department with African Americans. The lawsuit said Jones and other county officials said they wanted a "darker administration" to reflect "the new DeKalb County." Six years later, a federal court jury awarded two of those employees $185,000 in damages.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2022 Georgia Governor race Aug 23, 2020

On Crime: I cannot stand for the defunding of the police

I am no longer a Democrat. I cannot stand for the defunding of the police, higher taxes on working families and job-killing socialist policies that will devastate Americans of all walks of life. Now, let me make one thing clear--I haven't changed. The Democratic Party has changed. It's become a toxic combination of radical leftists and liberal elites in San Francisco and Hollywood have taken over my former Party.
Source: Jones in Fox News: on 2022 Georgia Gubernatorial race Jan 8, 2021

On Crime: Make attacks for party affiliation or ideology a hate crime

Jones will introduce the Jones Amendment that will make it punishable to commit a crime based on a person's political party affiliation or ideology. "Americans are being attacked because of their party affiliation and political ideology. I have personally been subjected to hate speech and threats because of my support for Trump's reelection," said Jones. "While we are discussing hate crimes legislation in Georgia, this could address another form of hate crime that people are experiencing."
Source: Valdosta Today on 2022 Georgia Gubernatorial race Jan 8, 2021

On Education: School choice: why can't the money follow the child?

He made it clear that the conservative talking point of school choice is an undertaking dear to him. "When the mother lies [by using a false address] to get their kids into a performing school, because she wants better for her kid too, where's the sanctuary for that child? Why is that parent arrested? It does not make sense. Black families want their children in performing schools, why can't the money follow the child," he concluded.
Source: Yahoo.com News on 2022 Georgia Governor race Apr 16, 2021

On Families & Children: 1998: outlaw selling music with explicit lyrics to minors

In 1998, he filed a bill that would outlaw selling music with explicit lyrics to minors. During the debate on the House floor, Jones was blocked from playing some songs. Instead, Jones read choice lyrics out loud, self-editing wherever necessary. The bill did not pass.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2022 Georgia Governor race Aug 23, 2020

On Gun Control: Supports the NRA; received campaign donation in 2016

Jones supports the National Rifle Association and received a campaign donation from the gun rights group in 2016.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2022 Georgia Governor race Aug 23, 2020

On Immigration: Co-sponsored bill to crack down on illegal immigrants

After he regained office, Jones quickly became a pariah to fellow Democrats as he aligned himself with Republicans on controversial measures, including co-sponsoring a proposal to crack down on unauthorized immigrants.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2022 Georgia Governor race Apr 16, 2021

On Jobs: Opportunity for all rather than increase the minimum wage

We need leaders who will support economic opportunity for all Americans, and the loudest voices in today's Democratic Party are focused on an incremental increase to the minimum wage instead of promoting policies that give all Americans the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
Source: Jones in Fox News: on 2022 Georgia Gubernatorial race Jan 8, 2021

On Principles & Values: Black voters would vote for David Duke if a Democrat

Jones connected David Duke to his string of thoughts while all but coming a hair short of calling Black Democratic Party voters inept when it comes to the civic process. "You know, David Duke today, someone Black folks see as a big Klansman, could run as a Democrat today and Black people would vote for him just because he has a D beside his name," Jones rattled off.
Source: Yahoo.com News on 2022 Georgia Governor race Apr 16, 2021

On Tax Reform: 2007: Backed a flat tax proposal as "fair tax"

In 2007, he said he backed the idea of a "fair tax," which is a flat tax proposal that has some support in conservative and libertarian circles.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2022 Georgia Governor race Aug 23, 2020

The above quotations are from 2022 Georgia Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
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Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023