A two-term Georgia legislator has just announced that she is leaving the Democratic party and headed to the GOP.
By making the switch, State Rep. Mesha Mainor, a lawmaker from one of Atlanta’s most Democratic districts, will now become the first Black woman from the Republican Party to serve in the Georgia General Assembly
“Today I made the decision to leave the Democrat Party,” Mainor tweeted. “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.”
An official announcement was made during a press briefing at the state capitol Tuesday.
“I didn’t leave the Democrat Party,” Mainor wrote on social media. “The Democrat Party left ME when it embraced left-wing radicalism, lawlessness, and put the interests of illegal aliens over the interest of Americans. I have nothing to apologize for.”
In May, Mainor criticized her former party’s leadership, stating “I’m a sitting Democrat in the Georgia House of Representatives and the Democrat Party Establishment is looking to take me out. I’m tired of hearing certain folks in my party chant Black Lives Matter during Election Years but are NOWHERE to be found any other year.”
Following her announcement, several members of the Republican Party welcomed her to team red.
Georgia U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler tweeted that Mainor “was attacked the moment she spoke out for law enforcement and educational freedom…because as we know, that’s unacceptable in the modern-day Democratic Party. Grateful for her conviction, and her willingness to serve our state – as Georgia’s newest Republican!”
And Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wrote in a statement that “We welcome Representative Mainor to our party and look forward to working with her on issues for the benefit of hardworking Georgians.”
The Republican National Committee also applauded the former Democrat for her decision. “Mesha Mainor, elected as a Democrat state representative in Georgia, supports improving education, empowering parents, and giving students the tools and resources they need to succeed,” the committee wrote. “So what did Democrats – her own party – do? They attacked her. Today, State Representative Mesha Mainor is joining the Republican Party!”
