ATLANTA — A Georgia state House race from Tuesday’s primary has jumped in the spotlight on social media after the Southern Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. shared a letter about two Democratic candidates in the race.
Online conversations have started to swirl about whether State Rep. Angela Moore is a member of the organization, as some social media posts that have surfaced appear to imply she’s affiliated with the sorority. She's now issuing a statement about the allegations.
Moore currently represents state House District 91, and unofficial results show she beat her Democratic challengers in the primary earlier this week, including Dee Dawkins-Haigler, who is a “duly initiated member” of the sorority, the letter from Southern Regional Director Amaris L. Johnson said.
“This email is not an endorsement for any candidate. However, I have received numerous emails regarding the membership status of candidate Angela Moore for the aforementioned position," the statement read. "Although, Ms. Moore continues to represent herself in various forums as a member of Delta Sigma Theta; there are no records to support her membership.”
A social media post on Moore’s X account from 2021 shows a photo of her in a DST frame, commenting “Happy Founders Day ΔΣΘ !”
A January video clip 11Alive found from a Georgia House of Representatives session shows her giving recognition to Georgia Municipal Association Day at the Capitol. As she salutes someone there, she said, “and sorors,” as she throws up the recognizable Delta Sigma Theta pyramid hand sign.
Another social post, where Moore celebrates Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022, says, “...you go sister soror!,” with a photo of the justice that includes DST language and the sorority’s emblem.
“Ensuring we elect candidates that value honesty and integrity to represent our communities is core to our values as members of Delta Sigma Theta,” the letter said. “I wish the Georgia sorors the very best on election Tuesday.”
In an email to 11Alive Thursday, Moore said her former married name and current name don't match her membership records from college.
"I have not sought the support of members or the endorsement of any alumnae chapter and have never received the letter being circulated via social media from the Southern Regional director," the statement reads in part.
"I am in the process of having the national chapter investigate and confirm my membership," she added.
11Alive reached out to the national headquarters. Friday evening, it provided the following statement:
"We conducted an extensive review of our membership records and conferred with the alleged initiation chapter. We also contacted Ms. Moore several times to obtain additional information to support our search. We can confirm that Ms. Angela Moore is not, and has not ever been, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc."
Moore said in her statement Thursday that outside of family, what's important to her is representing the needs of the constituents in her district.
Below are the results from Tuesday’s election. It shows Moore as the projected winner with about 53% of the vote and Dawkins-Haigler with 35%; Marcus Akins received 11%.