A Democratic state representative in Georgia, announced he will not complete his current term a week after he got blowback for endorsing President Trump, saying he is “leaving the plantation,” an expression popularized by African American Conservatives and Independents.

“I’m sick and tired of me and my family being attacked and harassed by the Democrat Party for putting my country before my party. I take pride in being an independent thinker. My first amendment right to freedom of speech is under siege,” Rep. Vernon Jones, who is African American, said in a statement released to CBS 46 in Atlanta. “I intend to help the Democrat Party get rid of its bigotry against Black people that are independent and conservative.”

“Turn the lights off, I have left the plantation. Someone else can occupy that suite. Therefore, I intend not to complete my term effective April 22, 2020. However, I will remain woke and vigilant in educating and fighting for my people,” he said in the statement.

The member of the Georgia House of Representatives also explained why he threw his support behind Trump.

“I endorsed the White guy (Donald J. Trump) that let Blacks out of jail, and they endorsed the White guy (Joe Biden) that put Blacks in jail,” he said.

Jones, who represents counties outside of Atlanta, said Trump is the “leader our country needed.”

“The results speak for themselves. With his hand on the wheel, the stock market broke record after record, wages and job growth exploded and unemployment dropped down to record lows. Given his track record, President Trump is best prepared to lead our economy back to record highs after we beat the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Democratic Party of Georgia Chairwoman Nikema Williams said Jones, who faces a Democratic primary opponent, “does not stand for our values” after he endorsed Trump.

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