The Rise of the Moderate: Geoff Duncan and the New Southern Realignment
By: S. Aguilar
To remain loyal to a cause, a belief, or a habit that no longer serves you is among life’s most profound awakenings. It shakes the foundations you thought were unshakable. Letting go of that loyalty—whether to a political party, an ideology, or a familiar pattern—is an act of courage, sometimes even rebellion. But it’s never a journey best taken alone.
I voted for Joe Biden and Brian Kemp. I know many who have. We represent a growing “silent majority” — people tired of political theater, yearning for authenticity. And in that search, Geoff Duncan and his team stand out as voices of reason and renewal.
Working at the state capitol, it’s clear there are show horses and work horses. Both have their place, but when it comes to choosing elected leaders, don’t mistake the spectacle for substance.
The South’s political history is a masterclass in realignment and transformation. After the Civil War, the South remained solidly Democratic for nearly a century, tied to memories of Lincoln and Reconstruction. That “Solid South” began to crumble mid-20th century as the national Democratic Party embraced civil rights, prompting many white conservatives to shift allegiance to the Republican Party — a shift accelerated by Nixon’s Southern Strategy and Reagan’s conservative resurgence. The South became a GOP stronghold, driven by culture. That culture was built around communities of shared race, religion, and cultural conservatism.
Movements are led by culture—by people who care too much coming together and saying, “Things could be different.” When those movements exist outside the mainstream, they often create a martyr out of the first person willing to embody that change. Geoff Duncan isn’t claiming to lead a movement; rather, he’s willing to spark change simply by being himself.
His 2025 op-ed in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wasn’t a rejection of conservative values but a call for unity, nuance, and honest debate grounded in facts and policy—not in picket signs or Twitter battles.
His critics have been vocal — dictating where he can go, what offices he can run for, branding him a “political rescue animal.” This symbolic struggle reflects what many moderates face inside an increasingly polarized GOP — a frustration shared across the aisle. The political gamesmanship, the old gatekeepers, the same candidates switching districts to hold onto power — people are done with that.
Geoff Duncan’s journey shows that real change is possible. Working alongside him and other elected leaders, I’ve seen no signs of performative politics. His team cares deeply, perhaps too much by some accounts. But true leadership demands discipline, clarity, and the courage to grow — qualities Geoff embodies.
To those who punish change, who revel in criticism from the sidelines, it’s time to take a seat in the colosseum. Watch if you must, but don’t confuse commentary for courage. The real work happens in the arena, in community, with friends who challenge your ego and remind you of your worth.
This is our generation’s cultural shifting moment. The cycles of history remind us: change is inevitable, transformation is possible, and the future belongs to those brave enough to lead with humility and conviction.