Mesha Mainor, a Georgia state House Representative representing District 56, has declared her departure from the Democratic Party to join the GOP.
Mainor arrived at this decision following strong criticism from DNC party leaders due to her support for a school choice bill and her decision not to endorse the movement to defund the police.
“When I decided to stand up on behalf of disadvantaged children in support of school choice, my Democrat colleagues didn’t stand by me,” Mainor said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “They crucified me. When I decided to stand up in support of safe communities and refused to support efforts to defund the police, they didn’t back me. They abandoned me.”
Mainor has revealed that her choice to switch parties stemmed from feeling “crucified” and “abandoned” by her Democratic colleagues. She characterizes her decision as a matter of morality and is now voicing criticism towards the Democratic Party for assuming unwavering support from the black community.
“For far too long, the Democrat Party has gotten away with using and abusing the black community,” Mainor said. “For decades, the Democrat Party has received the support of more than 90% of the black community. And what do we have to show for it? I represent a solidly blue district in the city of Atlanta. This isn’t a political decision for me. It’s a moral one.”
My name is Rep. Meisha Mainor and today I made the decision to leave the Democrat Party.
— Rep. Mesha Mainor (@MeshaMainor) July 11, 2023
I represent a blue district in the city of Atlanta so this wasn’t a political decision for me. It was a a MORAL one.
I will NEVER apologize for being a black woman with a mind of my own. pic.twitter.com/q3snDGejCN
Mainor emphasized her dedication to bipartisan cooperation and acknowledged the anticipated resistance from Democrats. She further highlighted how independent-minded black individuals pose a perceived threat to leaders within the Democratic Party.
According to a Georgia Online Forum, Mainor intends to prioritize education matters and play a role in expanding the Republican majority in the House.
She accuses her Democratic peers of opposing her efforts to advocate for school choice, a policy she considers crucial in assisting marginalized students who face difficulties in underperforming schools.
“It’s ironic,” said Mainor. “I’ll say every election year, I hear ‘Black Lives Matter.’ But do they? I see every other minority being prioritized except Black children living in poverty that can’t read.”
“We’ll send $1,000,000 to the border for immigrant services. But Black communities, not even a shout-out. I’m sorry, I don’t agree with this,” she added. “I’m not backing down and I’m actually just getting started.”
Following in the footsteps of former Georgia state Representative Vernon Jones, Representative Mainor has joined a growing list of Georgia politicians making the switch from the Democratic Party to the GOP. Mainor’s decision aligns with Jones’ reasons, as both cited disagreement with Democratic policies like police defunding and higher taxes.
Mainor’s defection to the GOP sheds light on the internal divisions within the Democratic Party and underscores the increasing attractiveness of the Republican Party to diverse lawmakers who feel their perspectives are overlooked by Democratic leadership.
This development potentially signifies a changing political landscape, particularly within the Georgia State House.
