Former Georgia House Representative Ben L. Harbin was found dead Wednesday night at the Fairfield Inn on Washington Road in Augusta.
He was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:12 p.m., according to the Richmond County Coroner’s Office. He was 61. The cause of death has not been determined, and an autopsy is planned.
Harbin, a Republican from Evans, served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1994 until his resignation in 2015. Representing District 122, he was a prominent and influential figure in state politics for more than two decades.
During his tenure, Harbin chaired the House Appropriations Committee, playing a key role in overseeing Georgia’s budget and guiding the state’s fiscal policy through periods of both growth and economic challenge. He was widely known for his expertise in financial matters and his commitment to responsible governance.
Born on Oct. 28, 1963, Harbin earned an associate degree from Georgia Military College in 1992. Before entering public office, he worked as a business owner and insurance agent, and he served as chair of the Richmond County Republican Party in the early 1990s.
In 2015, Harbin stepped down from the legislature to join the Southern Strategy Group, a national lobbying firm. He later served as a senior adviser at BakerHostetler, one of the country’s largest law firms, focusing on areas including healthcare and public policy.
Harbin remained active in civic life throughout his career. He was involved with organizations such as the Augusta Kiwanis Club, the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce, and served on the boards of the Columbia County Foundation for Children and Child Enrichment/Child Advocacy Center.
