(The Center Square) – Incumbent Mesh Mainer is running to keep state House District 56 Republican, but she is up against tough odds.
After first winning the seat in 2020 and then controversially leaving the Democratic Party in 2023, Mainer is now running as a Republican in a heavily-Democratic area in metro Atlanta.
Democrat Bryce Berry is the challenger and has already significantly out-fundraised Mainer.
Through July 8, Berry’s campaign had brought in $56,000 total contributions, compared to Mainer’s $19,000.
Yet, because she is an incumbent and has rolled over some money from past campaigns, Mainer’s cash-on-hand was $58,000.
In contrast, Berry had only $26,000 remaining, after spending $30,000. Mainer also spent nearly that much, at $23,000.
This is all according to campaign documents submitted to the Georgia Campaign Finance Commission.
Both candidates are young and have spent many years already involved in activism and politics. Berry has served as the president for Young Democrats of Georgia, he worked on the 2020 Biden-Harris campaign, and has been involved with The People’s Uprising, a social justice group.
His key campaign issues are “education, accessible health care, and economic opportunities through unions and skill trades,” according to his campaign.
In her time as representative, Mainer has served on the Education, Governmental Affairs, Regulated Industries, and State Planning & Community Affairs Committees.
She is passionate about school choice and safety.
“In 2023, Representative Mainor made history by becoming the first Black woman to serve in the Georgia General Assembly as a Republican when she left the Democratic Party over her support of school choice, law and order, and the protection of conservative, Georgia values,” her website says.
Yet, Dr. Charles S. Bullock III, a professor of political science at the University of Georgia, says that it is unlikely Mainer will be able to secure her seat for another term.
Berry’s campaign said it is confident about their chances.
“We feel confident about maintaining District 56 as a Democratic stronghold in November, despite Ms. Mainor’s incumbency,” the campaign told The Center Square. “People are eager to see Democratic values restored, reflecting what voters endorsed two years ago. Current representation has fallen short, with a prioritization of special interests over community needs.”
