Western Reader
After her party turned on her for supporting education vouchers and stricter prosecutors, an Atlanta Democratic state representative switched to the Republican Party.
After criticizing her former colleagues for “sabotaging” her and embracing “left-wing radicalism,” Rep. Mesha Mainor, 48, joined the state GOP as the lone black member.
Radical Left
Mainor alleged legislative Democrats expelled her for breaching party rules, like being mild on crime.
Meet Georgia Rep Mesha Mainor. She’s a lifelong democrat who worked with congressman John Lewis and has been fighting to help the black community. Today she announced that she will be leaving the Democrat party and becoming a Republican.
When asked about pushback from… pic.twitter.com/newERgkmWi
— 🇺🇸Travis🇺🇸 (@Travis_in_Flint) July 11, 2023
She claimed they “publicly slandered her in every way imaginable” at a news conference on Tuesday. This happened outside the Georgia Capitol. Meanwhile, other Democrats “constantly tried to sabotage everything she’s done for District 56.”
She believes Democrats left her and embraced radicalism. Mainor said she naively followed a vision distant from the truth. Now, it’s time to put citizens and good policy above politics and disinformation.
Nevertheless, Mainor had long been on the outs, as a member of Atlanta-area Democrats, for personal reasons related to a stalking incident. She ultimately felt her stalker got off too easily.
After several House Republicans defected and voted against a school voucher bill, Mainor was the only Democrat to vote for it.
Mainor, elected in 2020, serves Atlanta’s ultra-Democratic House District 56, which includes Midtown and the West side. She previously claimed she wasn’t going to change parties.
On Tuesday, she asked other lifelong Democrats to reconsider the party’s ideals.
Don’t listen to me, watch me. I will do everything to support District 56 pic.twitter.com/iYyJnrkWoV
— Rep. Mesha Mainor (@MeshaMainor) July 11, 2023
McKoon applauded Mainor, saying her action indicates the Republican Party welcomes a variety of views. Discussing different legislative concepts and options together is a strength.
Personal Issue
Rep. Nikema Williams, the Georgia Democratic Party chair, called Mainor’s defection a “stinging betrayal” of her Democratic constituents. Williams stated House District 56 needs an elected official who fights for high-quality public education.
In a statement, Newington Republican House Speaker Jon Burns called Mainor ’embracing the party of opportunity.’
Mainor’s switch and legislative pursuits are also inspired by a more personal quarrel.
In 2022, she sued Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr., District Attorney Fani Willis, and the county in federal court for violating her civil rights in a stalking case involving a former campaign worker.
Willis said Arrington, the stalker’s defense attorney, inappropriately utilized his commissioner status to secure a favorable plea deal.
Mainor also argued Willis didn’t properly examine the case before providing the plea deal. In March, District Judge Sarah Geraghty tossed the complaint, stating even if Mainor’s accusations were true, the actions did not violate civil rights.
This article appeared in NewsHouse and has been published here with permission.
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