The Ghost of Roundabout 'Resa

Theresa Thomlinson is a cancer that Columbus can't seem to get rid of.

COLUMBUS, GA – In the heart of the Peach State, where faith, family, and freedom still mean something, a political storm is brewing that's got folks talking from the Chattahoochee River to the backroads of Muscogee County. At the center of it all is former Mayor Teresa Tomlinson, who's been throwing stones from her glass house, launching what looks like a calculated PR hit on a solid Georgia conservative, Ben Garcia. All because Garcia proudly calls himself a Christian patriot – the kind of man who loves God, country, and the values that built this nation. But let's be clear: this ain't about ideology; it's about protecting her old buddy Isaiah Hugley's shot at the mayor's office in the upcoming race.

Garcia, the sharp-minded president of Magnolia Grove Consultants, got dragged through the mud last year when screenshots surfaced from his Instagram, where he'd once described himself as a "Christian Nationalist." Now, hold your horses – we're not talking about some fringe extremist nonsense. This is a guy who's all about putting faith back in the public square, the way our Founding Fathers intended. No ties to anything sinister, just a red-blooded American who believes in biblical principles guiding our laws and lives.

But Tomlinson's camp pounced, with her husband, Trip Tomlinson, firing off a statement that reeks of opportunism: "Whether Ms. Cogle knew of her campaign manager’s views or whether she didn’t vet him, it speaks to her lack of judgment."Why the venom? Simple. Garcia was working with Councilor Joanne Cogle on her mayoral bid – a campaign that's shaping up to give Hugley a real run for his money. Cogle, representing District 7, had paid Garcia's firm over $20,000 for solid consulting work before the backlash hit. Under pressure from the left-leaning crowd, she cut ties, calling Garcia "divisive." But folks like Councilor John Anker ain't buying it. Anker, who previously utilized Garcia's services, told the Ledger-Enquirer straight up: "I know [Garcia] personally, and he’s a fine young man." Anker even admitted he doesn't fully grasp the "Christian nationalist" label but sees no issue with a consultant who delivers results. That's Georgia common sense right there.

Tomlinson's attack isn't isolated. She's got a long track record of circling the wagons around Hugley, her former right-hand man during her two terms as mayor from 2011 to 2019. When councilors started questioning Hugley's leadership last year – amid a mess of scandals that cost taxpayers dearly – Tomlinson jumped in with a press conference in March 2025, praising him as indispensable. "The city manager has been a steady hand," she said, brushing off calls for his ouster. And get this: her husband maxed out his donation at $3,300 to Hugley's mayoral campaign, according to campaign finance records. That's not just support; that's investment in keeping the status quo.

But let's talk straight about Tomlinson's own time in the big chair. The fake news media loved to glaze her—painting her as some progressive wonder who turned Columbus around. They crowed about crime dropping overall from peaks before her term, and sure, the city touted lower numbers in press releases. Yet plenty of folks on the ground remember a different story: violent crime spikes in certain neighborhoods, residents feeling less safe, and a homicide count that had people shaking their heads. Every time another shooting or murder hit the news, it seemed like the punchline around town was that Teresa Tomlinson would just build another roundabout in response. Those traffic circles popped up everywhere—good for flow in some spots, maybe, but they became a symbol of misplaced priorities while real problems like street violence festered.

Perception became reality for a lot of hardworking families who saw break-ins and shootings in areas that used to feel secure, even as the mayor's office spun stats to claim progress. It wasn't the turnaround the headlines promised; it was a tenure that left too many wondering why the basics weren't getting handled first. Hugley's record? It's a laundry list that'd make any fiscal conservative cringe.

As city manager for two decades, he oversaw departments that racked up massive uncollected fees – we're talking $40 million in business licenses that slipped through the cracks, plus another $2 million in landfill fees from back in 2006 that prompted a sheriff's investigation. Then there's the animal control fiasco: eight employees, including a veterinarian, arrested in 2024 on 34 charges related to operational failures and potential cruelty. Whistleblowers in the finance department spoke of "untouchables" – insiders protected from scrutiny – and leaks of Hugley's own tax info that sparked more probes. The Columbus Council finally had enough, firing Hugley in a 7-3 vote in May 2025, just months before his planned retirement. But Hugley didn't go quietly; he's now suing for discrimination, demanding reinstatement and over $200,000 in back pay.This isn't just about one man. It's a whole political machine: Tomlinson, her husband, Isaiah Hugley, and his wife, State Rep. Carolyn Hugley (the House Minority Leader). They're rallying behind their picks in the council races to tighten their hold. Rebecca "Becca" Zajac, the executive director of Dragonfly Trails and a marketing whiz from Uptown Columbus, is their choice for District 7 – the seat Cogle's vacating for her mayoral run. Zajac kicked off her campaign in January 2026 at The Loft, promising trails and community vibes, but critics see her as a fresh face for the Teresa's woketard agenda to continue turning Columbus, GA into a hollowed out hull of a once vibrant city on behalf of the growing number of marxists in the city.

Then there's Simeonelavette "Simi" Barnes for District 1. As the daughter of the late Councilor Jerry "Pops" Barnes – a beloved figure who held the seat for 17 years until his passing in 2024 – Simi's got name recognition. But her bid comes after a controversial council appointment of Byron Hickey to fill the vacancy, which her family blasted as a "tangled web" of deception. Simi, a licensed counselor with a master's from Troy University, positions herself as continuing her dad's legacy. Yet, with the Hugley-Tomlinson endorsement, it's hard not to see it as extending the circle's influence.Down here in Georgia, we value straight talk and accountability.

Tomlinson's hit on Garcia smells like desperation to shield Hugley from a real challenge. As a southern patriot who's seen enough big-city politics creep into our towns, I say it's time to question the machine. Columbus deserves leaders who put taxpayers first, not cronies. With the mayor's race heating up – Hugley leading in fundraising at over $117,000, but challengers like Cogle gaining ground – voters will decide if they're ready for a fresh start or more of the same old scandals.