Former Georgia Rep. Vernon Jones has decided to withdraw from the Georgia gubernatorial race and is throwing his support behind former Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.).
Jones said Feb. 7 that he’s prayed and considered his political future and believes he can best serve Georgians in Congress, as opposed to the governor’s mansion.
“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 and will be supporting David Perdue,” Jones said in a statement. “He is a good man who loves our state and loves our country.”
Jones is a former Democrat who switched to the Republican Party while still serving in the state legislature and became one of former President Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters in Georgia.
But Trump endorsed Perdue on Feb. 2, calling the former senator “an outstanding man” who is both “tough” and “smart.”
Both Trump and Perdue have attacked Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican who is running for reelection, and Jones chose to back Perdue over Kemp.
The field also includes former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, a Democrat, and educator Kandiss Taylor, a Republican.
Perdue didn’t immediately react to the endorsement from Jones.
The Jones campaign didn’t immediately respond when asked which congressional seat Jones will be running for.
The primaries in the race are scheduled to take place on May 24. The general election is slated for Nov. 8.
Kemp won the 2018 election by about 55,000 votes over Abrams, who still maintains she actually won.
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Zachary Stieber covers U.S. news and stories relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is based in Maryland.
