Columbus Councilor defends political consultant identified as Christian nationalist

Councilor John Anker says consultant Ben Garcia and his firm Magnolia Grove Consultants are "fine people" providing valuable services.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Columbus Councilor John Anker is defending his use of political consultant Ben Garcia, whose firm Magnolia Grove Consultants previously managed the mayoral campaign for Councilor Joanne Cogle before screenshots of Garcia's social media identifying him as a Christian nationalist surfaced. Anker says Garcia and his firm are "fine people" providing valuable services, and that his conservative values serve all citizens in Columbus.

Why it matters

The revelation that a political consultant working for local elected officials has been identified as a Christian nationalist has raised concerns about the influence of partisan ideologies in what are supposed to be nonpartisan municipal elections and government.

The details

Cogle's campaign paid thousands of dollars to Magnolia Grove Consultants to manage her campaign, but the firm was dropped after screenshots showed the firm's president, Ben Garcia, had previously self-identified as a Christian nationalist on his Instagram profile. Anker continues to be listed as a client on the firm's website, though he says he has not utilized them in his current campaign for the District 9 seat. Anker acknowledges the need to ensure nonpartisanship in local government, but defends Garcia and his firm as providing valuable services.

  • In 2022, Anker lost to Henderson in the race for mayor.
  • In 2024, Anker lost to Travis Chambers in a runoff for the District 10 citywide council seat.
  • Anker is now seeking re-election to the citywide District 9 seat, with the election scheduled for May 19, 2026.

The players

John Anker

A Columbus Councilor representing citywide District 9, who is defending his use of political consultant Ben Garcia and his firm Magnolia Grove Consultants.

Joanne Cogle

A Columbus Councilor representing District 7, whose mayoral campaign previously utilized Magnolia Grove Consultants before the firm's president's Christian nationalist views came to light.

Ben Garcia

The president of Magnolia Grove Consultants, a political consulting firm that has worked with local elected officials in Columbus, Georgia. Garcia previously self-identified as a Christian nationalist on social media.

Magnolia Grove Consultants

A political consulting firm that has worked with local elected officials in Columbus, Georgia, including Councilors Anker and Cogle.

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What they’re saying

“We need to make sure that we understand that nonpartisan means you're there to serve the entire city. And my mission has never wavered from that.”

— John Anker, Columbus Councilor (ledger-enquirer.com)

“In terms of a Christian nationalist, I don't even know, really, what that is. Call it naivety, call it I just don't know. That's not a word I've ever used.”

— John Anker, Columbus Councilor (ledger-enquirer.com)

“I would like people to know that conservative values don't mean that you don't want to help everybody in Columbus, Georgia. I don't think Ben Garcia is any kind of right-wing fanatic. I'm definitely not a right-wing fanatic, but I have conservative values.”

— John Anker, Columbus Councilor (ledger-enquirer.com)

What’s next

The Columbus Council will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that all elected officials and their consultants maintain a nonpartisan approach to serving the entire community.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of maintaining nonpartisanship in local government, even as political consultants with partisan leanings seek to influence municipal elections and policy. Elected officials must be vigilant in upholding their duty to serve all constituents equally, regardless of political affiliation.