By Maynard Eaton / Staff

Call him the new and improved Vernon Jones.

During his eight-year tenure and his failed 2008 bid for the U.S. Senate, Jones often was viewed as combative, controversial and egomaniacal. But in his bid to unseat 4th District Rep. Hank Johnson, the former DeKalb CEO says he is a more humble and contrite than the man who admittedly alienated the media and others in the past.

“Clearly, I am a changed man. I see some of my missteps. I’ve been able to correct them,”Jones reflected during a Friday news conference. “I listen a lot more now to people. I’ve certainly grown and become more of a statesman. My personality overshadowed my solid record of accomplishment.”

Jones told reporters who questioned his popularity with the DeKalb electorate: “We have a lot of support. I’ve never seen any politician get 100 percent of the vote. I don’t care who you are, there are going to be some who disagree with you. I’m here to build bridges, not fences.”

Jones says that while he considered running for Secretary of State, he believes Americans are dissatisfied with what’s happening in Washington. His campaign, he said, will focus on creating jobs and “putting food on peoples’ tables“ and will not be about partisan politics.

 “I have the ability to get things done and work across the aisle,” he said

Jones will face a crowded field for the 4th District seat. County Commissioner Connie Stokes has announced she is running and Commissioner Lee May also has expressed interest in the seat. Johnson, who is battling Hepatitis C, Saturday announced that he will seek a third term despite his serious illness.

“When I was elected to Congress in 2006, I promised I would deliver for this district, I promised I would bring home the resources we need to create jobs, educate our children, keep our neighborhoods safe, and I have,” Johnson said in a prepared statement.  “I promised I would serve with discipline, respect and integrity – I promised I would be a thoughtful and diligent legislator – and I have.”

Jones told reporters: “Congressman Johnson has worked hard, but I can work harder. He has tried to be effective, but I believe I can be more effective. I have experience he does not have. I have experience in running a government. I have experience in creating jobs. I have experience stimulating the economy and bringing about economic opportunities. So my background clearly distinguishes me from Congressman Johnson. Right now the 4th District needs vigorous representation. He’s had an opportunity to vote on the stimulus package and as you can see small businesses is still hurting. The money didn’t make it back home.”

Jones called his unsuccessful run for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate – when he admitted voting twice for President George W. Bush – “a delay and not a defeat that has made me a better candidate.”

Jones also indicated he would be an independent-minded and conservative Democrat, if elected. For example, he says, he’d have difficulty voting for the health care bill now being debated in Congress.

“The present health care bill has some challenges and some inconsistencies,” he said. “When you look at what it’s going to cost Georgia – that current health care bill depending on which one you look at – over $500 million, where is that money going to come from? It’s going to raise my taxes, your taxes. There are issues with that bill.”

The race for the 4th District seat promises to be a hotly contested campaign in light of Johnson’s solid but unspectacular record in Washington, Stokes’ popularity, particularly among black female voters, and Jones’ name recognition and charisma.

“I think he can win,” political consultant Vincent Watkins said of Jones.  “Voters are very familiar with him. If he can reach out and touch people and talk about jobs, which nobody in the Democratic Party has been able to do effectively, I think he’ll do well because he hasn’t damaged himself in that district. If Vernon runs an aggressive and assertive campaign, and talks about the ineffectiveness of the current Congressman, hell, Vernon will win.”