Rutha Jackson announces candidacy for Houston County Commissioner, post two: ‘Yes, we can!’

WARNER ROBINS — A new candidate has entered the race for the Houston County Board of Commissioners. Former Houston County NAACP President Rutha Jackson will be running for Houston County Commissioner, Post Two. 

Jackson made the announcement on Thursday, surrounded by supporters. She said it was more than an announcement; it was a declaration that leadership matters and that the county deserves representation that listens, works hard, and leads with integrity. 

“It’s a declaration that together, we can build a Houston County that works for everyone,” she said. 

If elected, her priorities include ensuring roads and infrastructure are maintained and improved. She aims to keep communities safe and strong and to make sure veterans are honored and supported. 

Jackson wants to make sure local businesses can grow and thrive and tax dollars are managed responsibly and transparently. 

“This campaign is not about politics. This campaign is about people,” she said. 

Jackson has served both in the Air Force and in education, raised in Houston County and working for the school system. She shared that she invested in children’s education and future. 

While working at Robins Air Force Base, she invested in those who served and worked in the area. Afterwards, she attended Fort Valley State University and received a degree in Education. She then started teaching in 1993 and retired after 25 years as an educator. 

Before that, Jackson served 33 years in the United States Air Force Reserve with the 94th Aerial Port Squadron and personnel. 

Jackson has also served as a Methodist preacher for several years. She believes the Lord has saturated her well so she can move forward.

“Service has always been a central part of my life,” she said. 

After retirement, she still continued to serve her community. Jackson served as President of the Houston County NAACP for six years, during which time she spearheaded the Black Lives Matter march in 2020. 

She also served in various roles within the organization, including as a Youth Advisor and on the Religious Affairs Committee. 

“I’m about unity, I’m about inclusivity. Everybody brings something to the table that can useful,” she said. 

Together, she and her husband raised three daughters who attended schools in the Houston County School System. Jackson said her family has grown, lived and served in the community. 

Jackson describes herself as a woman of faith, a servant leader, a listener and a bridge builder. She shared that her commitment to the community has been evident through her advocacy, ministry, and opportunities to serve and lift up others. 

Jackson has advocated for the Board of Commissioners to have a district election system rather than an at-large system. She believes having districts could better serve people in marginalized areas. 

“It didn’t matter if they were black or white just the fact that they had somebody to go to, who were actually responsible for the situations that may occur in their particular district,” she said. 

After years of being an advocate in the community, someone suggested that Jackson should run for the board of commissioners, and Jackson said, “Why not?” 

Now she is aiming to advocate from a seat on the board and said it feels great to no longer be on the sidelines. 

“I’m in the fight. I’m on the battlefield. It’s no longer to talk about a situation, it’s best to become involved and best to put yourself where you can be used more or the opportunity to be used in order that you may accomplish all things, not just that one thing,” she said. 

She praised Commissioner Chairman Dan Perdue and other commissioners, saying they are good people with integrity, and that she aims to continue that. 

Jackson believes everyone can make Houston County a better place to live. 

“With all of this growth and development that we have, it’s going to take all of us doing what we do,” she said. “The small businesses that we have, we have to support them so that they will be able to nourish themselves, also nourish the county, which brings in more opportunity for people to grow.”

Jackson believes she is a good candidate because she is a woman of principles and integrity. 

“I’m a woman who stands for unifying for growth and development for change for the betterment of humankind,” she said. 

Jackson shared that working in different facets has shaped her into being the best candidate for post two. 

She said she can not do it alone and encouraged supporters to volunteer and spread the word about her campaign. 

Jackson then repeated her campaign slogan: “Yes, we can!” 

She finally shared why Houston County citizens should vote for her: 

“I have the quality, I have the integrity and I have the wherewithal to get the job done.” 

Jackson will be running against incumbent Shane Gottwals. Election Day is May 19.

To learn more about Jackson, visit her website.