Georgia legislator’s wife defends brother dropped from Columbus mayoral campaign
Theresa Garcia Robertson posted a statement on Facebook in support of her brother, Ben Garcia, who was dropped as a consultant for Columbus Councilor Joanne Cogle’s mayoral campaign after screenshots surfaced of him describing himself as a Christian nationalist.
Robertson, wife of Georgia state Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), provided full-throttled support of her brother in the post, writing about their positive relationship over the years.
“Our father raised us on hard work and more hard work,” Robertson wrote. “Ben has been in business for himself since he was in high school, when he started his own lawn care business. He is a hustler, and I would put his work ethic up against anyone.”
Cogle told the Ledger-Enquirer that, in late January or early February, she separated from Ben Garcia, president of Magnolia Grove Consultants, “after his views came to light.”
Screenshots had surfaced of Garcia’s Instagram profile, where he self-identified as a Christian nationalist.
Christian nationalism advocates are described as those who want the government to promote or enforce the Christian religion in government, or a theocratic state, according to a definition by Britannica. This ideology is most commonly associated with the right wing of the Republican Party. The Columbus Council and mayor are nonpartisan offices, meaning they aren’t supposed to represent a political party.
In her post, Robertson wrote that she has “spoken out against the values that have commonly been associated with ‘Christian Nationalism’; specifically, women being ignored and silenced.”
She said that Garcia has supported her in this and spoken out against Doug Wilson and those who subscribe to “his version of Christian Nationalism.”
Doug Wilson is a pastor from Idaho who is outspoken on Christian theocracy and argues that American society and the government should be governed by Biblical law.
“I know Ben,” Robertson wrote. “And I know our history as a family, and I know what Ben believes in.”
Robertson said that she is proud Garcia is her brother.
“I am so encouraged that there are people like Ben who will speak up for what they believe in, no matter the consequences,” Robertson wrote.
Magnolia Grove Consultants’ other listed clients are Columbus Councilor John Anker, Georgia state senators Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), Shawn Still (R-Johns Creek) and Matt Brass (R-Newnan), along with Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a Republican candidate for governor.
