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Mesha Mainor
Mesha Mainor (Republican Party) was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, representing District 56. She assumed office on January 11, 2021. She left office on January 13, 2025.
Mainor (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Georgia House of Representatives to represent District 56. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
In July 2023, Mainor left the Democratic Party and registered as a Republican.[1]To learn more about state legislators who switched parties, click here.
Biography
Mesha Mainor was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Mainor earned an undergraduate degree from Howard University in 1996 and a master's degree in physical therapy from Howard University in 1999. Her career experience includes working as a healthcare practitioner and consultant.[2]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Mainor was assigned to the following committees:
- Education Committee
- Governmental Affairs Committee
- Regulated Industries Committee
- State Planning and Community Affairs Committee
2021-2022
Mainor was assigned to the following committees:
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Georgia House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Georgia House of Representatives District 56
Bryce Berry defeated incumbent Mesha Mainor in the general election for Georgia House of Representatives District 56 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Bryce Berry (D)  | 83.8 | 19,223 |
 | Mesha Mainor (R) | 16.2 | 3,722 | |
| Total votes: 22,945 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 56
Bryce Berry defeated William Watkins, Adalina Merello, and Corwin Monson in the Democratic primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 56 on May 21, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bryce Berry | 54.1 | 1,976 |
| William Watkins | 20.9 | 763 | ||
| Adalina Merello | 19.7 | 721 | ||
| Corwin Monson | 5.3 | 194 | ||
| Total votes: 3,654 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Dawn Samad (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 56
Incumbent Mesha Mainor advanced from the Republican primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 56 on May 21, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mesha Mainor | 100.0 | 114 |
| Total votes: 114 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Mainor in this election.
Pledges
Mainor signed the following pledges.
2022
See also: Georgia House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Georgia House of Representatives District 56
Incumbent Mesha Mainor won election in the general election for Georgia House of Representatives District 56 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mesha Mainor (D) | 100.0 | 16,054 |
| Total votes: 16,054 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 56
Incumbent Mesha Mainor defeated Keona Jones and Will Chandler in the Democratic primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 56 on May 24, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mesha Mainor | 65.3 | 3,300 |
 | Keona Jones | 27.6 | 1,397 | |
 | Will Chandler | 7.1 | 357 | |
| Total votes: 5,054 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
See also: Georgia House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Georgia House of Representatives District 56
Mesha Mainor won election in the general election for Georgia House of Representatives District 56 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mesha Mainor (D) | 100.0 | 19,664 |
| Total votes: 19,664 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 56
Mesha Mainor defeated Josh McNair and Darryl Terry II in the Democratic primary for Georgia House of Representatives District 56 on June 9, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mesha Mainor | 54.0 | 4,571 |
 | Josh McNair | 33.7 | 2,852 | |
 | Darryl Terry II | 12.4 | 1,049 | |
| Total votes: 8,472 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2019
See also: City elections in Atlanta, Georgia (2019)
General runoff election
Special general runoff election for Atlanta City Council District 3
Antonio Brown defeated Byron Amos in the special general runoff election for Atlanta City Council District 3 on April 16, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Antonio Brown (Nonpartisan) | 53.3 | 670 |
 | Byron Amos (Nonpartisan) | 46.7 | 588 | |
| Total votes: 1,258 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
General election
Special general election for Atlanta City Council District 3
The following candidates ran in the special general election for Atlanta City Council District 3 on March 19, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Byron Amos (Nonpartisan) | 23.4 | 359 |
| ✔ | | Antonio Brown (Nonpartisan) | 19.3 | 296 |
 | Greg Clay (Nonpartisan) | 19.1 | 293 | |
| Shalise Young (Nonpartisan) | 10.8 | 165 | ||
| Jabari Simama (Nonpartisan) | 9.9 | 152 | ||
| Mesha Mainor (Nonpartisan) | 8.2 | 125 | |
| Matthew Charles Cardinale (Nonpartisan) | 4.7 | 72 | ||
 | Erika Estrada (Nonpartisan) | 3.3 | 51 | |
 | Ricky Brown (Nonpartisan) | 1.2 | 18 | |
| Total votes: 1,531 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Patricia Crayton (Nonpartisan)
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Mesha Mainor did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Mesha Mainor did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Mesha Mainor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mainor's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am a mother of two girls that attend Atlanta Public Schools, who I support in a variety of extra-curricular activities. I attend Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta, where I am an active member. For more than 20 years, I've practiced physical therapy in Georgia, working in the homes of seniors, veterans, and persons injured on their job.
I advocate for healthcare reform, resources for marginalized people, domestic violence & stalking victims, children, and small business development.
My doctorate work is in human services, corporate social responsibility, diversity and inclusion, ethical leadership, emergency and disaster preparedness, governance, and succession planning.
I believe in progressive education standards for our children to compete in the global marketplace by prioritizing STEM and STEAM standards. And, more than anything, I believe in equality and democracy.- Safety: Every citizen deserves protection and the right to protect themselves. It is vital for people to feel free and safe in their communities. I support equal and just laws, law enforcement that abides bide the law, and a justice system without favor except for the truth.
- Children: The demographics of America and Georgia are changing at a dramatic pace, as well as the American culture. We must support children in every endeavor as they are the future support for aging citizens. We must give them resources to be competitive in a global marketplace from the very beginning. It's archaic only to teach 1 +1=2, when the Law of Synergy states that the whole is greater than the sum of all its parts. We need robotics in play as early as pre-K3.
- Healthcare: Our livelihood depends on employment, relationships with others, housing, the environment, and even Earth's climate. Our health, on the other hand, is independent in its stake of our being. Without physical wellness and a healthy state of mind (mental health) and spirit, we have nothing.
I also understand that no one lives isolated without the consequences of another person. Therefore, I believe it is vital to support re-entry citizens, juveniles with criminal records, the homeless, veterans, persons with disabilities, those with mental illness, and parents of children in low socio-economic environments.
As a Christian, that respects all faiths, my higher power shows me the beauty of the world. Therefore, it's important to me to support the environment as I am a steward of it.
The unemployment rate has skyrocketed, food banks are depleting, and the Medicaid system is being exasperated.
Right now, politics, in general, is too biased based on party affiliation, leaving the point of it all a distant blurb. The people should be our focus, not the party. I am a Democrat that supports people over politics.
Collaboration and working with others is my best asset. There are 180 legislators, and only bills passed with a majority vote are cleared to pass on to the Senate.
2) Judiciary: legislation related to the law, courts and judges, constitutional amendments, and laws that carry the possibility for civil penalties.
3) Rules: oversees the flow of legislation and determines which bills will be debated and voted on.
4) State Planning & Community Affairs: oversees legislation that affects Georgia's local governments, state planning activities, election laws, and county redistricting
5) Small Business Development: oversees legislation that promotes small businesses and job creation.
In court, a sister of victim stood to say her sister couldn't be in court that day because she was in the hospital after being beat to unconsciousness. She stated she came to court because she didn't want the system to drop her sister's plea for a restraining order.
One of several life-threatening problems in domestic violence is the assailant fleeing the system. They know how to hide, yet live. In my particular case, the police knew my stalker, and I was told verbatim they didn't believe he could do that. I also told the police I was afraid of due process because he employs law enforcement officers. Incidentally, they weren't able to find my stalker (even while working off duty to support his business), until my family members in law enforcement and my Church helped me get justice.
Getting justice, especially in domestic violence and stalking cases, shouldn't involve a web of steps. It should be streamlined to prevent death.
Georgia is ranked 25th in the nation for its rate of men killing women. 37% of cases have children that witness a death from domestic violence. There were 61,824 "reported" cases of family violence and 26,327 protective and stalking orders issued in Georgia in 2017. Crisis centers received 45,715 calls for domestic violence in 2018. The issue isn't just about women, its about families, children, and men.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Mesha Mainor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mainor's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
1) Civic Engagement: volunteerism, neighborhood pride festivals and programs, holding government responsible for public works, holding businesses accountable for their property appearance, creating cross-collaborations among nonprofits, establishing The Historic Westside as a historically preserved community, and keeping constituents informed about all city functions, actions, policies, and ordinances. 2) Public Safety: create communities and neighborhoods where children can play outside and feel safe; make mobile transit laws (scooters, bikes, etc) safer for riders and drivers; collaborate with police and first responders to increase participation of our neighborhood watches; invest in police cameras on high crime streets; ensure Atlanta's beltline remains safe; install more street lights in poorly lit areas known for crime 3) Create job opportunities by increasing small business development, skills/tradesman training, ex-offender eligibility to work programs, and young adult empowerment activities 4) Housing: increase affordable housing for students, seniors, single-parents, and families with combined lower than average wages; decrease homelessness; hold property owners accountable to abandoned homes.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
1) Youth education, advocacy, and empowerment 2) Healthcare accessibility
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
As a single mother, I know my mom, as a single mother, in the same community I am running for office in, provided me with the best opportunities she was able to. I truly believe all mothers do everything in their power to provide for their children. I look up to every mother across the world as a role model. The human beings that God blesses us with come with no instruction manual or guide for updates as technology advances. We just love with the resources we have.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Kunreuther, F., Kim, H., Rodriguez, R., and Klein, K. (2008). Working across generations: Defining the future of nonprofit leadership. Carr-Ruffino, N. (2012). Managing diversity, 9th edition. Harley-McClaskey, D. (2015). Developing Human Service Leaders.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Ethical Character Inclusion Practices Strategic Collaboration
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
As a clinician and healthcare provider for 20 years, I have mastered the skill of effective listening, strategic compromise, and SMART goal implementation. I am only privvy to reaching goals. As a physical therapist, social entrepreneur, and director at a multi-million dollar nonprofit corporation, I only know success. My patients walk again, go back to work after injuries, and continue to live independently after strokes. Success in true small business "without loans" requires mastery in budget analysis, and accuracy in projections. I am well-rounded, having worked with people across all generations and nationalities to get things done.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To listen to the people, get their problems resolved, and be an effective collaborator between my constituents, government, businesses, and nonprofits.
What legacy would you like to leave?
Whether I win or not, I will be known as the person that spearheaded a community-wide initiative to make District Three beautiful! The Martin Luther King Jr. Drive highway exits will look like you are getting off of the highway in Sandy Springs or Alpharetta, the higher income residential communities!
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was at Chic-fil-A in the Omni Center in Atlanta during my spring break for one week. I went everywhere to get a job. Everyone said I wasn't old enough. When I went to Chic-Fil-A, the manager said I could only work when school wasn't in session, and he would give me a job for one week during my spring break!
What happened on your most awkward date?
I can't say that has happened, thankfully. I'm not a person that wastes my time. It is too valuable.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
I love celebrating my children's birthdays! Their birthdays are holidays in my eyes. Both dates are extremely important to me. These two days are days of a blessing remembered. Everyone doesn't get the opportunity to be blessed in this way, and I am grateful.
What is your favorite book? Why?
I am a non-fiction reader or Audible fiction listener. I cannot say I have a favorite. The first book I bought for others was the Celestine Prophecy after I read it in college. I gave it to everyone in my family and my friends for Christmas that year. And of course, the Bible, above all else, is my navigator.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Why not Cinderella! But, only the timeframe from when she meets her fairy God-mother and she dances in bliss with a beautiful dress and smile that gleams to the heavens.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
I love that my grandfather, Julius Hutto Mainor, built the house I live in with his brothers in the 1950s. My grandfather was a U.S. Navy SeaBee and retired from Lockheed Martin. The Mainor men were great craftsmen of wood. My home sits on top of a hill that overlooks the Atlanta skyline.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
"Obsessed" by Mariah Carey. It is my six year old, Alexis', favorite song. When I ask her for a hug, she looks at me and says, "Why are you so obsessed with me?"
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
I struggle with seeing my community in the devastation our current leaders have left it in. Our former councilman who was in office for 16 years was extremely nice, but very ineffective. It is my prayer that his legacy of ineffectiveness isn't carried over by his wife whom is running to continue his plan of action. Albeit, Ms. Young seems to be a lovely woman, her platform is a continuation of her husband
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?
District Three in Atlanta is known to have the lowest turnout at the polls, but is also known as the swing vote. In times past, our former council members are known to be followers. Hence, our community has been in shambles for greater than 1/2 a century. I hope to change that beginning March 19th!
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
I am the only candidate that has previous knowledge and experience of policy, legislation, and Board development in a leadership position versus married to a previous elected official.
What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?
Atlanta's District Three seat is known to be the swing vote. This election will determine whether the current administration's promises (Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms) will be fulfilled, or not.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
Yes. Although a person may not have been an elected official, it is important for the constituents to have a leader that does not require on-board training as my other candidate will require. I've worked side by side by former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General, Dr. Helene Gayle, led Emory Healthcare as a Center Director for Outpatient Rehabilitation, worked with Congressman John Lewis in Washington, DC, and other agencies including Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), CDC, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Georgia scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
In 2024, the Georgia State Legislature was in session from January 8 to March 28.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to civil rights issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Georgia State Legislature was in session from January 9 to March 29.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Georgia State Legislature was in session from January 10 to April 4.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Georgia State Legislature was in session from January 11 to March 31.
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Georgia House of Representatives District 56 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ AP, "Georgia Democrat Mesha Mainor, at odds with her party, switches to Republicans," accessed July 14, 2023
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 28, 2020
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mable Thomas (D) |
Georgia House of Representatives District 56 2021-2025 |
Succeeded by Bryce Berry (D) |
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