Democrat-turned-Republican Mainer seeking to keep her seat

(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 f...