pro.stateaffairs.com · September 5, 2026
# State Affairs Georgia
Sep 05, 2026
Ben Harbin, who guided Georgia through the Great Recession, dies at 61
Former House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin speaks to his colleagues. (Credit: Georgia House)
Beau Evans May 01, 2025
Ben Harbin, a longtime lawmaker who played a key role in shepherding the state budget through the disastrous Great Recession, died in Augusta on Wednesday. He was 61.
“A dedicated public servant, he helped to balance our state budgets and maintain our AAA bond rating during the most difficult financial time in modern history,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement. “We are praying for his family and loved ones in the days and weeks ahead during this time of grieving.”
Harbin’s death came the same day as the passing of another former longtime lawmaker, Susan Holmes, 81, who served in the House from 2011 to 2023. Family members said Holmes died peacefully Wednesday night while surrounded by loved ones in her hometown of Monticello.
Harbin, a Republican from Columbia County, served more than 20 years in the House following his election in 1994. He chaired the budget-setting House Appropriations Committee starting in 2005 and held the role in 2010 when lawmakers slashed spending by more than $1 billion to weather the fallout from the 2007-2009 recession. The state was among the hardest hit, with some half-million Georgians losing their jobs and hundreds of thousands losing their homes and businesses.
Harbin’s death was under investigation after his body was found in an Augusta hotel Wednesday night, according to the Richmond County Coroner’s Office. Coroner Mark Bowen said his office does not suspect foul play.
A graduate of Georgia Military College, Harbin was a businessman and chaired the Richmond County Republican Party before winning election to the House in 1994. His election coincided with the landmark victory of then-U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood, who flipped the 10th Congressional District for Republicans for the first time since Reconstruction.
“I knew Ben Harbin for more than 30 years, back when we were working together to win Georgia’s 10th District,” said Gabriel Sterling, a former state elections official who worked on Norwood’s campaign. “He did a lot for his community and our state. He will be missed.”
Harbin held seats on several other committees, including the Health Appropriations Committee; the Telecommunications Subcommittee of Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications; and the Sales Tax Subcommittee of Ways and Means. He resigned his House seat in 2015 to work as a lobbyist.
Harbin was named “Lawmaker of the Year” twice: once by the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals in 2008 and again by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in 2009. He also served on the Board of Child Enrichment and the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.
Praise for Harbin’s tenure as appropriations chairman poured in from officials and lawmakers across the state, who also highlighted his work on legislation related to higher education, businesses and health care.
“Ben served our state with diligence and integrity for over two decades,” House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, said in a statement. “And as House Appropriations chairman, he was instrumental in shaping the pathway to the success our state is witnessing today.”
“Chairman Harbin was always very kind to me,” said Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon, who served in the Senate from 2011 to 2019. “During my freshman term as a state senator, he and I worked together on the Fix the Debt initiative to raise awareness about the national debt. He was passionate about public policy and cared deeply for his fellow Georgians.”
Harbin is survived by his son, Hampton, and other family members. His daughter, Caitlin, died in 2023.
Have questions, comments or tips? Contact Beau Evans at beau@stateaffairs.com or on X @beauvans.