In a cordial, but heated-one hour exchange, State Representative Mesha Mainor took the the airwaves of the nationally syndicated "Rashad Richey Morning Show" to defend her controversial decision to switch from the Democrat to Republican Party.
"People voted for me, they did not vote for the letter next to me," Rep. Mainor told WAOK listeners Monday. "The things that I campaigned on were school choice and parent choice. I was loud about that. I had the most charter schools in my district," said Mainor, who insists her position on school choice long precedes the unexpected political party switch that shocked constituents and political observers.
Mainor was elected in 2020 to serve voters in the heart of Atlanta. She told Dr. Rashad Richey constituents in her predominately Black district made it clear how they wanted her to vote on hot button political issues–even if it meant going against the party line of Georgia's Black Democratic Caucus.
"It was really my Black senior citizens that I represent that called me saying,' Don't you dare vote to defund the police.' Listening to them and campaigning on public safety, that's exactly what I did. Once I got back in the community, they were happy that I did not vote to defund the police and honestly, every Democrat now is saying they never wanted to defund the police," said Mainor, who is a native of Southwest Atlanta and a graduate of Mays High School.
Mainor said the Georgia GOP has made her feel welcome and assured her the party is ready to be inclusive. "I'm not saying the Republican Party is perfect. The Republican Party definitely has some issues going on over there. But, is the Republican Party harming the Black community in what we see? We can talk about Affirmative Action but if we can't read, we don't have any Black kids going to college to even benefit from anything like Affirmative Action.
Rep. Mainor accused Black and White Democrats who are not from her district of mounting a public campaign against her–at the Georgia State Capitol and on social media.
"And it's like ok, what is it? This is a problem. These people are not going to leave me alone. All I'm trying to do is help the people of District 56. So I did some self reflection and said to myself, 'It's policy. It's not about the party.'"
Dr. Richey challenged that notion, pressing the State Representative further about her decision to leave the political party whose voters put the healthcare industry specialist in office by more than a 50 percent margin.
"I know some Democrats in South Georgia who've gone against the Caucus but continue to remain effective as a Democrat. It happens all the time. So why did you have to switch parties to do what you're doing?" Richey asked.
Mainor said there were several differences in policy issues that made it increasingly difficult for her to work with and vote with the Black Caucus–whose membership and leadership –she claims–had become petty and combative.
"They do not value the things that help and uplift my community and what I don't have to tolerate is being harassed and intimidated," she said.
Dr. Richey continued to press Rep. Mainor about her sudden political about-face.
"You have disagreed with them fundamentally. You have disagreed with them and their policy core. If you disagreed with them last year, why do you agree with them this year?," Richey asked.
"I changed parties because of the things that I campaigned for and the things that my community thinks are important. And in the Georgia House, these people do not support the things that interest Black people. I am the same person I've always been. The same bills that I supported as a Democrat, I will support as a Republican. The "R" does not change who you are," Rep. Mainor insisted.
"That's literally untrue, … it signals you have adopted a different values platform," Dr. Richey rebutted pointedly.
To hear the entire conversation between Dr. Richey and Representative Mesha Mainor, click the link.
Dr. Rashad Richey, host of the award-winning 'Rashad Richey Morning Show' on News & Talk 1380 – WAOK/V-103FM (HD3) (Weekdays 7am -10am), and the 'Dr. Rashad Richey Review' on SiriusXM's Urban View (Sundays at 1pm and 9pm), was voted 'Best Talk Radio Personality in Atlanta' by readers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and named 'Most Trusted Voice in Atlanta' by the Atlanta Business Journal, making him the first African-American to receive these distinctions.
The intelligent and fearless television news anchor for the opinion news show, 'Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey' on the TYT Network, which was named 'fastest growing TV news show in America', and Political Commentator for The People's Station V-103 FM, America's largest urban station, also serves as President of Rolling Out, the largest free-print urban publication in the country. This multimedia powerhouse with over 3-million combined subscribers/followers on Facebook Watch, YouTube, Podcasts, and Twitch combined, is a noted multidisciplinary academic scholar and university professor/lecturer and an Emmy-nominated television Political Analyst for CBS News Atlanta.
Believing in the power of knowledge and education, Dr. Richey holds several advanced degrees, making him one of the most academically credentialed individuals in American history according to America News Now. Completing doctoral research studies in federal policy reform from Clark Atlanta University, Dr. Richey also holds a PhD from the Business University of Costa Rica where his research and doctoral dissertation highlighted the nuances and intersectionality of politics, policy and religion.
Being a student of leadership, Dr. Richey completed studies in Executive Leadership at Cornell University and was accepted into a specialty executive law program at Harvard University in International Finance: Policy, Regulation, and Transactions. Understanding the connectivity of culture and science, Dr. Richey earned his Master of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Pacific, where his master's thesis researched cognitive functionalities of brain entrainment. Dr. Richey also completed a Master of Science in Applied Physics and Quantum Mechanics from Universidad Empresarial, his master's thesis was adapted into a book titled, 'Ancient Egyptian Mastery of Quantum Physics, Vibratory Frequency, and Geometric Sciences: An Overview of Complex Scientific Applications in Ancient Cultures', which quickly became the #1 Physics, #1 Science, #1 History, and #1 Egyptian Genre b0ok on the Amazon platform.
As an executive leader, Dr. Richey says it's imperative to combine business practices with compassionate leadership principles, which was a primary focus when completing his Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Beulah Heights University. Dr. Richey also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Humanitarian Studies from the University of Renaissance and a Doctor of Law in International Law (ABD) from the research institution, Azteca University.
He is currently in the final leg of completing his Juris Doctor (Law Degree) from Birmingham Law School and dually enrolled in a PhD in Quantum Physics program, which is a collaborative between the Clark Atlanta University physics department and the School of Life Information Science & Engineering at Asia Pacific School of Business.
As host of The Rashad Richey Morning Show, Dr. Richey has interviewed everyone from Vice-President Kamala Harris to TI, and always brings relevant information, the best on-air debates, and most insightful interviews in media. Tune in every weekday morning from 7am-10am on News and Talk 1380-WAOK, V-103FM (HD3), www.WAOK.com, or on the Audacy App.
