Georgia Democrat defected to GOP, claiming she was ‘tortured’ and ‘abandoned’ by her own party

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Mesha Mainor, a Democratic congresswoman from Georgia, has announced her intention to switch to the Republican Party, claiming that Democrats have “exploited” the African-American community.

Major, a member of the Georgia state House of Representatives who fell out of favor with his Democratic colleagues over his passage of a recent school choice bill, is expected to announce officially his party change. He has represented District 56 in the Georgia state House as a Democrat since January 2021. He plans to announce his switch to the Republican Party on Tuesday, shortly before noon.

He emphasized his commitment to bipartisan cooperation after his party switch, saying he has “consistently worked across the aisle to achieve results for my community and the constituents I serve. That approach will not change.”

“When I decided to speak out on behalf of disadvantaged children in support of school choice, my fellow Democrats did not stand by me,” Mainor explained of his decision in a statement to Fox News Digital. “They crucified me. When I decided to stand up for safe communities and refused to support efforts to defund the police, they didn’t support me. They abandoned me.”

“For too long, the Democratic Party has gotten away with using and abusing the black community,” he added. “For decades, the Democratic Party has been supported by over 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 is not a political decision for me . It’s moral.”

Mainor noted the significant support he has received with “great encouragement” for his decision to switch parties, noting that it is “humbling to be accepted, for the first time in a long time, by people who find no fault in a black woman. have a mind of their own and be willing to reverse the party line.”

Asked if he thinks he will face pushback from Democrats over his decision, Mainor said, “The most dangerous thing to the Democratic Party is a black person with a mind of their own. So I wouldn’t be surprised.”

In a social media video shared in May, Mainor accused Democrats of turning their backs on him because of his strong advocacy for school choice.

“Education and the importance of school choice has been, and will continue to be, one of my key focuses,” he said. “But outside of education, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Georgia General Assembly to address the most pressing issues facing our state and to help grow the Republican Party by helping us not to focus not only on preaching to the choir, but on growing the congregation”.

“I support school choice, parental rights and opportunities for children to thrive, especially those who are marginalized and tend to fail in school,” Mainor argued. “Democrats in [Georgia State] Capitol took a hard line and demanded all Democratic votes against the kids and for the teachers union. I voted yes to parents and yes to children not failing schools.”

Major rejected Democrats who dispute his independent positions on certain issues.

“I have a few colleagues who are upset with me to the point where they are giving away $1,000 checks to anyone who goes against me,” Mainor continued. “I’m not apologizing because my colleagues don’t like how I vote.”

Earlier this year, despite disapproval from fellow Democrats in the state legislature, Mainor supported a school choice bill designed to expand opportunities for students in Georgia’s lowest-performing schools.

Georgia Senate Bill 233 aimed to provide $6,500 in vouchers to students in the bottom quartile of the state’s schools, helping to cover the tuition costs of private schools and homeschooling if is chosen Republican Gov. Brian Kemp endorsed the bill, which appeared poised to pass under the Republican-controlled Legislature, until it was rejected by 16 House Republicans.

“It’s ironic. I will say that every election year I hear ‘Black Lives Matter’. But them? I see every other minority being prioritized, except black kids living in poverty who can’t read,” Mainor argued.

“We’re going to send $1,000,000 to the border for immigration services. But the black communities, not even an outcry. Sorry, I don’t agree with that,” he added. “I’m not backing down and I’m actually just getting started.”

Mainor has complained in the past that Black Lives Matter is not free to help black Americans and that the Democratic Party singles him out for speaking out.

I am a Democrat sitting in the Georgia House of Representatives and the Democratic Party establishment wants me out.

I’m tired of hearing certain people in my party sing Black Lives Matter during election years, but are nowhere to be found any other year. pic.twitter.com/wuMdVBeCki

— Rep. Mesha Minor (@MeshaMainor) May 20

Minor’s midterm party switch, which strengthens the Republican majority in the House, follows former Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones’ similar transition in 2021.

“Now, let me be clear: I have not changed. The Democratic Party has changed. It has become a toxic combination of radical leftists and liberal elites in San Francisco and Hollywood have taken over my old party.” he added at the time.

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