
Mesha Mainor
Republican | Georgia
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mesha Mainor
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary, Judicial General and Senate District 7 Specials
Race
State School Superintendent
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Howard University, Washington, DC, BS, 1996-
Howard University, Washington, DC, MS, 1999-
National University, San Diego, CA, DBA
WORK & MILITARY
Navy Family (father, uncle, brother),
U.S. House of Representatives
CDC
Office of Assistant Surgeon General
USAID (US Agency for International Development
AFFILIATIONS
Georgia General Assembly, Elected Official, 2020-2025
Fulton County Republican Party, Vice Chair- 5th Congressional District, 2025-2026
Georgia Republican Foundation, Member, 2026-2026
National Counsel State Legislatures, Member, 2024-
American Legislative Exchange Council, 50th Anniversary Top Legislator, 2023-
Black Minds Matter, Board Member, 2025-2026
Georgia DECAL, Quality Rated Provider
Georgia Special Committee on School Accreditation, Member
Georgia Special Committee on Lead Poisoning in Children, Member
Georgia Legislative Education Committee, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Ga State Representative, 2020-2025
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Ga State School Superintendent, 2026-
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Georgia Republican Assembly
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
See website
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Students First PAC (2023)
American Federation For Children (2022)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Fair Fight (2022)
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (2020)
OTHER INFORMATION
These articles give information on the candidate's switch from the Democratic to Republican Party in July of 2023:
-
Georgia Democrat Mesha Mainor, at odds with her party, switches to Republicans | AP News
-
Lawmaker receives racist hate mail after leaving Democratic Party: 'Showing their true colors' | FOX 5 Atlanta
- A Georgia lawmaker switched from Democratic to Republican. She lost an appointment to state council | Georgia Public Broadcasting (gpb.org)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Human life has God-given dignity and deserves legal protection from conception until natural death. I co-sponsored legislation with Rep. Lauren Daniel affirming life begins at conception in school curriculums. My view is consistent: I support penalties for crime, but not the death penalty. Justice must be firm, but the state should not take a life God created.
What role should the school serve in helping a student with an unwanted or crisis pregnancy?
Schools should first ensure a student in a crisis pregnancy feels safe, supported, and protected. If a child seeks help from a school official, that trusted adult should listen without judgment and provide immediate care. A discussion should then explain why a parent or guardian needs to be involved, while addressing the student’s fears. If needed, a licensed family therapist can help guide that conversation. Families should receive clear, step-by-step resources connecting them to community organizations that support a safe delivery and ongoing care. If the pregnancy is the result of a crime, school officials must follow reporting laws and contact law enforcement to protect the student.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
The Ten Commandments should be displayed in public school buildings or court houses.
Strongly Agree
I sponsored this bill with Senator Harbin. As a State Representative, I initiated the first step of the process to display the Ten Commandments as law.
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Strongly Agree
I passed legislation to create freedom of speech hubs on college campuses. As State School Superintendent, I would prioritize creating spaces for Christian students to have the same rights as other religious groups
NATIONAL SECURITY
I support boycott, divestment, and/or sanctions (BDS) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Strongly Disagree
Israel is a sovereign nation with the right to defend itself, and the United States stands as a strong ally. The creation of a Palestinian state is not a decision for America to impose, just as we reject foreign interference in our own governance. While the Palestinian people have endured great suffering, accountability lies with leadership aligned with terrorism. I do not support boycotting a nation acting in its defense, while always praying for the protection of innocent lives.
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
First, people have the right to choose to work as a freedom of expression. Govt.should not guarantee income, but create conditions for opportunity. I created the Fulton County Technology and Energy Authority and other workforce initiatives, as a state Rep. I support policies that connect Georgians to high-growth careers, strengthen local economies, and reward work. A conservative approach prioritizes fiscal responsibility, limited government, and pathways to self-sufficiency—not dependency.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and returning authority to states and local communities. Education decisions are best made closest to students, parents, and teachers—not by a distant federal bureaucracy. This approach increases accountability, reduces inefficiency, and allows Georgia to tailor solutions that reflect our values, workforce needs, and commitment to student success.
I support taxpayer funding of public education from Pre-K through college.
Strongly Agree
I support taxpayer funding of public education from Pre-K through college as a strategic investment in Georgia’s future. Through my ROI Framework, every dollar must produce measurable outcomes—literacy, workforce readiness, and economic mobility. We owe taxpayers transparency and accountability, ensuring funding drives results, strengthens communities, and delivers a clear return on investment for students and the state.
Abortion and gender-affirming providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Strongly Disagree
I do not support abortion or gender-affirming providers, including Planned Parenthood, serving as instructional resources in schools. Schools should prioritize academics and partner with parents, not outside organizations that conflict with family values. Health matters should be handled with parental involvement and appropriate medical professionals, ensuring students are supported while respecting parental rights and community standards.
Please list in order the following priorities in relation to the role of a K-12 public school (omitting any that do not apply): American History, Art & Music, Civics, Critical Race Theory, Foreign Language, Gender Identity, Information Technology, Language Arts, Mathematics, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Political Activism, Science, Sexuality, Social Emotional Learning, Vocational Learning
Language Arts Mathematics Science Civics American History Information Technology Personal Finances Vocational Learning Physical Fitness Foreign Language Art & Music Social Emotional Learning (discourse) Omitted: Critical Race Theory, Gender Identity, Political Activism, Sexuality
Which should students have: equity of outcomes or equality of opportunities?
Students should have equality of opportunity. Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, effective teachers, safe schools, and the support needed to succeed. Outcomes will vary based on effort, ability, and choices, but our responsibility is to ensure a fair starting point, remove barriers to success, and hold systems accountable for providing real opportunity—not guaranteeing identical results.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
It’s illegal for a person to carry a firearm if convicted of certain crimes. Likewise, there should be a way for someone to alert officials if someone with a mental health challenges has a a firearm.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
VALUES
Children have the right to be protected from sexual grooming including drag shows, explicit materials in schools and libraries, and other public venues.
Strongly Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My spiritual beliefs are rooted in a personal relationship with God, guided by Scripture, prayer, and daily accountability. I believe every person is created with purpose, dignity, and value. My faith teaches me to live as a witness, not only in words but in action, through integrity, service, courage, and grace. I believe tribute is shown through stewardship, gratitude, and honoring God with the gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities He has entrusted to me. My values are truth, compassion, family, discipline, and obedience to God’s Word. Faith is the foundation of how I lead, serve, and persevere, and I strive to reflect Christ in both public and private life.
If you support the teaching of Sex Ed, please answer the following question: Sexual education should include these topics (list all that apply and add your own, if needed) -- abortion methods and side effects; abstinence; consent; contraceptive methods; human anatomy/the reproductive system; physical and emotional health outcomes; sex acts and pleasures of sex; sexual orientation and gender identity; stages of pregnancy and fetal development
If sex education is taught, it should be age-appropriate, medically accurate, and aligned with parental involvement. Core topics should include abstinence, consent, human anatomy and the reproductive system, stages of pregnancy and fetal development, and the physical and emotional health outcomes of sexual activity. Instruction may include basic information on contraceptive methods and risks, but should not include explicit content, promotion of sexual behavior, or gender identity ideology. Parents should have full transparency and the ability to opt in or out.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
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