Mesha K. Mainor (born May 17, 1975) is an American politician serving as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives for the 56th district.[1]
Mesha Mainor | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 56th district | |
| Assumed office January 11, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Mable Thomas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 17, 1975 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (until 2023) Republican (2023–present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Howard University (BS, MPT) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Early life and education
editOf African-American heritage, Mainor was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from Benjamin Elijah Mays High School.[1] She received a BS in Health Science and Master's degree in physical therapy at Howard University. As of 2023[update], Mainor was working on a doctorate in business administration at Northcentral University.[1]
Career
editMainor began her political career in Washington, D.C. working with Congressman John Lewis. She later worked at the United States Agency for International Development in the Global Health division.[2]
In 2000, she began working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a speechwriter and research analyst for Assistant Surgeon General Helene D. Gayle. In this role, she was responsible for foreign and domestic public-health presentations, legislative testimonies, and film and radio productions, and she co-authored journal articles.[citation needed]
In Atlanta, she has served the physical-therapy community in leadership positions at Emory Healthcare and Children’s Hospital of Atlanta. She worked at Emory until 2019, when she resigned to run for Atlanta City Council’s District 3 special election.[3] She also founded and trademarked the Junior Business League, a program to teach children entrepreneurship and advocacy.[citation needed]
As a member of the Georgia House, Mainor represents Midtown Atlanta, Ansley Park, Castleberry Hill, English Avenue, Atlantic Station, Hunter Hills, Vine City, Dixie Hills, Mozley Park, Sherwood Forest, West Midtown, West End, and the last residing neighborhood of Martin Luther King Jr. before he died, in the Sunset Avenue Historical District.
On July 11, 2023, Mainor announced that she was leaving the Democratic Party for the Republican Party. Associated Press wrote of her switch, "The tension between Mainor and other Democrats burst into the open earlier this year after Mainor became the only Democrat to vote for a school voucher bill."[4] Mainor also spoke positively of the prosecutorial-oversight measure that Georgia governor Brian Kemp had made a priority.[5]
Mainor was defeated in the 2024 general election by Democratic candidate Bryce Berry, who received 83.8% of votes.[6]
Personal life
editMainor has two daughters that attend Atlanta Public Schools in Fulton County. She is an active member of a Baptist church in her community.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Representative Mesha Mainor". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- ^ Lee, Maggie (2022-10-10). "Mesha Mainor". Atlanta Civic Circle. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- ^ Catts, Everett. Nine candidates contending for District 3 Atlanta City Council seat, Marietta Daily Journal, March 11, 2019.
- ^ Amy, Jeff (July 11, 2023). "Georgia Democrat Mesha Mainor, at odds with her party, switches to Republicans". AP News.
- ^ Murphy, Patricia; Bluestein, Greg; Mitchell, Tia. "The Jolt: Democrats threaten primary against centrist Atlanta lawmaker". Political Insider (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ Baruchman, Michelle (November 6, 2024). "Republicans hold on to most of the competitive seats in Georgia Legislature". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.