Report: Jones considers dropping out of Gov race
The former state lawmaker is considering a run for another office, potentially Congress
Gubernatorial candidate and former State Rep. Vernon Jones, an outspoken loyalist of former President Donald Trump, is reportedly considering abandoning his run for governor.
The ex-Democrat met with the former President at his resort in Florida last week. Sources familiar with the meeting say that the two discussed plans for Jones to withdraw from the race for governor — where Trump is backing former U.S. Sen. David Perdue, and jump into another contest with the endorsement of the former President.
Given that Trump has already endorsed in most of Georgia’s top races, Jones’ options are limited. He has endorsed Perdue for Governor, Herschel Walker for U.S. Senate, State Sen. Burt Jones for Lieutenant Governor, and U.S. Rep. Jody Hice for Secretary of State.
If Jones does switch races, it appears quite likely that he will run for Congress. There are two open congressional seats in North Georgia that lean Republican: the 6th district and the 10th district.
The 6th has been a Democratic stronghold in recent election cycles, but Republican state lawmakers significantly redrew its boundaries in redistricting, vaulting it into ruby red Cherokee and Dawson counties. The Republican primary here includes former state ethics board chairman Jake Evans and emergency room physician Rich McCormick. Trump has made no endorsement here.
The 10th district became open after Hice launched his campaign for Secretary of State. Located east of Atlanta, this sprawling rural district includes all or parts of 18 counties and is one of the reddest constituencies int the state. Trump has not endorsed anyone in this race either, but the Republican primary here is already a race to the right: trucking executive Mike Collins is running a staunchly pro-Trump campaign. Former U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, Hice’s predecessor in Congress, is campaigning as a “constitutional conservative.”
With the issue of critical race theory becoming a rallying cry for the GOP base in recent months, some have suggested that Jones could also switch to the race for State School Superintendent, where Republican incumbent Richard Woods is running for re-election with a low profile and a lackluster financial warchest. But Woods is already being challenged for renomination by John Barge, a former State School Superintendent himself.
While it’s clear that the GOP race for governor is a two-way contest, it’s worth pointing out that no public polls have found either of the top candidates above the 50% threshold necessary to avoid a runoff. Though top GOP leaders are dreading the thought of a runoff, Jones could see it as leverage to stay in the contest.
Jones himself has provided few details on his political future, but it is generally accepted that his path to the GOP nomination for governor is nonexistent. So don no be surprised if he begins to look for a way out in the coming weeks.