Georgia State Representative Mesha Mainor, a Democrat who has represented District 56 since January 2021, has announced that she is switching parties and officially becoming a Republican.
Mainor's decision comes after she faced backlash from her Democrat colleagues for her support of a school choice bill and her refusal to support efforts to defund the police.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Mainor explained her decision, saying, "When I decided to stand up on behalf of disadvantaged children in support of school choice, my Democrat colleagues didn't stand by me. 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 also criticized the Democratic Party's treatment of the black community, saying, "For far too long, the Democrat Party has gotten away with using and abusing the black community. 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? This isn't a political decision for me. It's a moral one."
Despite switching parties, Mainor emphasized that she will continue to work across party lines to deliver results for her community. She expressed gratitude for the support she has received amid her decision to switch parties, noting that it is "humbling to be embraced for the first time in a long time by individuals who don't find fault in a black woman having a mind of her own and be willing to buck the party line."
When asked about potential pushback from Democrats, Mainor stated, "The most dangerous thing to the Democrat Party is a black person with a mind of their own. So, it wouldn't surprise me."
Moving forward, Mainor plans to prioritize education and expanding the Republican majority in the House. She emphasized the importance of school choice and parent rights, especially for marginalized children who struggle in failing schools. Mainor also criticized politicians who prioritize the teachers union and donors over their constituents.
Mainor's decision to switch parties while in office follows in the footsteps of former Georgia state Representative Vernon Jones, who made the same move earlier this year. In an op-ed for Fox News, Jones explained his decision, stating that he could no longer stand for the defunding of the police, higher taxes, and job-killing socialist policies that have taken over the Democratic Party.
Mainor's switch extends the Republican majority in the House and adds to the growing number of Democrats who are disillusioned with their party's direction. Both Mainor and Jones have cited their commitment to conservative principles and their belief that the Democratic Party no longer represents their values.
As Mainor begins her journey as a Republican, she remains committed to working for her community and tackling the pressing issues facing the state of Georgia. She aims to grow the Republican Party by reaching beyond traditional supporters and focusing on delivering results for all constituents.
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