Lucy McBath, the mother of 17-year-old Jordan Davis who tragically lost his life in a 2012 shooting, is headed to Congress!
According to The New York Times, the news was released Thursday morning after a close race against Republican Karen Handel that resulted in McBath winning a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives by a lead of less than 3000 votes.
McBath, who is a former flight attendant, decided to become a gun control and racial justice activist after living through a mother’s worse nightmare. “Six years ago I went from a Marietta mom to a mother on a mission,” she said of experiencing the loss of her son, who was shot and killed at a gas station by a white man named Michael Dunn after refusing to turn down the rap music in his car. Dunn was convicted of first-degree murder in 2014 and is currently serving a life sentence without parole.
“We’ve sent a strong message to the entire country,” McBath tweeted about her first run for public office. “Absolutely nothing – no politician & no special interest – is more powerful than a mother on a mission.”
“At the end of the day, whatever you think about me; whatever happens or whatever I become in the future, I’ll still always be Jordan’s mom,” McBath said during her campaign.
“What I’m doing today is still mothering his legacy,” she added. “I’m extending what I would do for my son to my community.”
Election night took place on Tuesday, November 6th, but the race was too close to call until Thursday morning. The Associated Press reports that the race was close enough to call for a recount, but the winner was declared after Handel conceded.
“After carefully reviewing all of the election results data, it is clear that I came up a bit short on Tuesday,” Handel wrote on Facebook. “Congratulations to Representative-Elect Lucy McBath and I send her only good thoughts and much prayer for the journey that lies ahead for her.”
Congrats to Lucy McBath!
TSR STAFF: Myeisha E.! @myeisha.essex
