A polarizing figure in Georgia politics, the DeKalb County legislator told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he was not switching parties but that he views Trump as a transformative figure who has helped African American voters, military veterans and farmers with his policies.

“It’s very simple to me. President Trump’s handling of the economy, his support for historically black colleges and his criminal justice initiatives drew me to endorse his campaign,” Jones said.

“This is not about switching parties. There are a lot of African Americans who clearly see and appreciate he’s doing something that’s never been done before,” Jones added. “When you look at the unemployment rates among black Americans before the pandemic, they were at historic lows. That’s just a fact.”

A former chief executive of DeKalb County, the state’s biggest Democratic stronghold, Jones completed a political comeback in 2016 by winning a seat in the Georgia House, where he launched his political career in the early 1990s.

Before his win four years ago returning him to the state Capriol, Jones mounted unsuccessful runs for the U. S. Senate, the U.S. House and DeKalb sheriff.

His stint as the county’s leader was marked by controversy.

A special grand jury in 2013 recommended an investigation in allegations against Jones of bid-rigging and theft when he was CEO, but the then-district attorney said he lacked evidence to show any crimes had occurred. Jones is quick to highlight h... (Read more)