Since 2021, Rep. Mesha Mainor has been a member of Georgia’s House of Representatives serving the 56th district as a Democrat. Yet fed up with the policies her party-mates have been backing recently, she quit the Democratic Party this week and became a Republican. Here, in an open letter to the nation, she explains in her own words why she switched.

Dear America,

My name is Mesha Mainor. I was born in Atlanta in 1975 to Shirley Mainor and Willie Denson.

Atlanta’s westside community raised me; it’s the home of ATL’s greatest rappers, Shawty Lo, T.I., Killer Mike, Lil Baby, Lil Jon, Bone Crusher, Trillville, Lil’ Scrappy and more.

Some of my best friends growing up were 2 Chainz, Rasheeda and Da Kaperz.

I’m sure we all identified as Democrats growing up. After all, aren’t all black people Democrats?

Fast forward, 40 years later, life gets more complex, and things are not so black and white.

If you’re lucky, God will grace you with His discernment.

On Tuesday, I took a significant step to leave the Georgia Democratic Party, the party of my family and friends, to join the Georgia Republican Party.

Broken Dem ideas

As a lawmaker for the past three years, I realize more each day that the principles of Democrats are not always aligned with those of black people.

We all saw how Democrats chose to handle the “illegal” immigration of Haitians during the Clinton administration, leaving black people drowning in the ocean without so much as an arm of support.

We saw Democrats put nearly $10 billion into building more prisons, which made it possible to house more black people and for longer sentences with the 1994 Crime Bill.

What about now, in 2023?

I am asking black Americans to ask themselves, “What has a Democrat done for you lately?”

I don’t know what Janet Jackson would say, but let me take a stab it.

Black children cannot read or perform simple math in marginalized communities.

In my district, some of the stats show as little as 2% to 3% academic proficiency.

The criminal-justice system led by black Democratic leadership is functioning at an all-time low.

Recently, the US Department of Justice initiated an investigation into the Fulton County Jail, reportedly after a man died from being eaten alive by bed bugs.

Crime is rampant, and Atlantans are afraid to leave their homes out of fear for their lives.

Democrats supported defunding the police. I did not.

I voted with the Republican Party to keep local law-enforcement agencies intact to protect communities.

I voted to protect victims and families over lawless prosecutors that may use their office for personal gain versus advocating for the people they serve.

Better way forward

I also voted to support children that attend failing schools with parental or school-choice options.

The misconception that vouchers are for the wealthy is rhetorical nonsense magnified by opponents of school choice — often Democrats — who support the teachers unions over children.

I am content with my votes and my decision to switch parties, and I will run on the Republican ticket when I seek re-election.

Exodus 9:9-14 shows us that a slave mentality is normalized when you are suppressed and oppressed into thinking failure and hopeless is better than the unknown.

I pray I am able to show those who may be unintentionally shackled in spirit that macro-politics is nothing more than sensationalism meant to alarm and scare you from truths.

It’s the micro, kitchen-table topics that many Democratic leaders fail to address that impact your life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. 

Republicans are more focused on those issues.

I look forward to better serving my constituents and delivering on those matters as a member of the GOP.