From Critic to Champion: My Evolving View of Jackie Harling

A Reflection on the Growth and Leadership of the Walker County GOP Chairwoman

In politics, as in life, there are times when first impressions don’t tell the whole story. Jackie Harling is a perfect example of that. Two years ago, when she entered the political arena by running for state representative, I was firmly on the opposing side. As a staunch supporter of Mike Cameron, I didn’t think twice about her candidacy beyond the usual calculations of strategy and policy. But life, as it often does, has a way of surprising us.

After that campaign, Jackie and I crossed paths occasionally, and while I was wary, those interactions planted a few seeds of respect. Then came her election as chairwoman of the Walker County Republican Party. It was her first political leadership role, and she was, as the saying goes, green as grass. Mistakes were made. And yet, as the months unfolded, I saw in Jackie something rare and valuable: a kindred spirit.

That realization came into sharp focus during the spring of last year. It was a tumultuous time for Walker County’s schools. Two school board members had faced a trial for their removal and were only saved and allowed to remain in their seats thanks to what can only be described as false swearing from Superintendent Damon Raines. Though this fact was not known until after the trial.

In any event, less than a month later, these same board members, along with another who planned to retire, used their 3-2 lame-duck majority to extend Raines’s contract to the maximum term allowed by law to 2027. They effectively disenfranchised incoming duly elected board members set to take office in 2025. They stripped the two incoming Republican board members of their ability to evaluate the superintendent during their first two years in office! The maneuver reeked of old-guard politics - the kind of backroom dealing that has plagued Walker County for decades.

I had been writing about and exposing issues in the school system for some time, and one of my articles provided the impetus that sparked the lawsuit challenging the eligibility of those two board members. After the vote to extend the contract, desperate and appalled parents brought all of this and the vote to Jackie’s attention, and she was outraged.

Harling's response was swift and unprecedented. She felt the move was morally and ethically indefensible, even though the board members involved were members of her own party. Rather than engage in the traditional political dance of private negotiations and veiled threats, she took the issue directly to the Republican Party executive board and secured a formal censure.

Then, in one of the most electrifying moments in recent Walker County political history, Jackie stood at the next school board meeting and delivered the censure and her own blistering rebuke. Her words were sharp, but her conviction was sharper. Watching her, I saw not just a party leader but a principled individual willing to confront wrongdoing head-on. Her public rebuke at the school board meeting shattered the usual protocols of quiet acquiescence to power. While some establishment stalwarts undoubtedly winced at such a public confrontational display at a local school board meeting, the moment marked a decisive break from the politics of accommodation that has long enabled such behavior.

Despite all that, of course, there have been sharp disagreements. I’m not known for tempering my opinions and that holds true with Jackie. Her decision to replace a friend and someone I admire on the county election board grated on me, and I’m no fan of her involvement with the Georgia Republican Assembly, an organization whose chaos during the Catoosa County primaries is still fresh in many minds. Jackie has certainly rubbed some people the wrong way at times and stepped on some toes. But she is her own woman. She listens to differing opinions—even from those of us who clash with her—and values debate. Our relationship could be described as a team of rivals, but it’s one grounded in mutual respect.

Yes, she’s not perfect. Jackie moves fast and breaks things. She doesn’t always follow tradition or take the safest path. But what I’ve come to appreciate is her pure heart. She is genuine in her intent to do what she believes is best for the people she serves. That kind of authenticity is increasingly rare in politics, where posturing often takes precedence over principle. I hope she is able to muster her talents to humbly heal divisions and bring people together, even those she may have inadvertently alienated. Her support for her former rival, Rep. Mike Cameron convinces me she can bridge divides.

Looking ahead, I believe Jackie Harling has a bright future in whatever role she chooses—whether it’s local office, continued leadership in the Republican Party, or something entirely new. She’ll make mistakes, no doubt, but they will be mistakes born of conviction, not self-interest. And while we won’t always agree, I’ll be in her corner because the people of Walker County will be well-served by her unyielding commitment to doing what’s right.

Jackie Harling may not have been the candidate I supported in 2022, but in 2024, she became a leader I trust and respect. That’s a testament to her growth, her integrity, and her willingness to stand for what she believes—even when it’s hard.