Extremist politics divided this conservative California community. What will it take to turn the tide-

Shasta County is currently facing a rising tide of homelessness and concerning suicide rates, yet political attention seems fixated on reshaping the voting system. Can the fallout from these political changes be mended?

Tim Garman, an elected member of the county board of supervisors, has witnessed the dramatic shift towards far-right politics in Shasta County. This Northern California community, home to 180,000 residents, has gained national headlines for its embrace of election conspiracy theories. Garman voices his concerns, highlighting the extensive time being diverted to political distractions instead of tackling critical issues like mental health and homelessness.

“It’s sickening how much time we waste,” Garman remarked in a recent interview. As the county gears up for an important election, the extreme political climate is revealing how divisive ideologies can fracture community unity and complicate local governance. Shasta has become a focal point in the national dialogue on voting misinformation, offering crucial lessons on how to resist these disturbing trends.

“Traditional Republicans are pushing back against the more conspiratorial far-right factions,” noted Lisa Pruitt, a rural law expert at the University of California, Davis. “The question remains: will they succeed?”

Just two years ago, it was hard to imagine Garman in such a role. After the ousting of a long-standing moderate Republican in 2022, Garman—a former local school board president who had been vocal against vaccine and mask mandates—rose to prominence with the support of ultra-conservatives and militia members.

However, his positions have evolved, leading to criticism from some of those early supporters. When a group of supervisors suggested eliminating voting machines in favor of a hand-counting system based on unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, Garman voted against the idea and later backed the recall of a far-right colleague.

“If the people who supported me had looked into my background a bit more, they probably wouldn’t have backed me,” he reflected. “And if I had done my due diligence on them, I wouldn’t have wanted their support.”

In 2022, Shasta County was poised for change, driven by pandemic frustrations over school closures and perceived government overreach. This unrest mirrored a larger national trend of political extremism, where outbursts at school board meetings and threats against officials became the norm.

In Shasta, tensions escalated sharply, with residents directing their anger at the board of supervisors. Elected officials encountered death threats in both private and public forums. Garman—a father of five who shifted from roofing to public service after sustaining injuries—emerged on the political scene amid this upheaval.

Initially, many found Garman’s views resonated with their desire for change. He championed himself as a critic of vaccine mandates, but once in office, he aligned with the far-right bloc, supporting the dismissal of the county’s health officer, Karen Ramstrom, who faced backlash for following pandemic guidelines.

Garman’s perspective underwent a significant shift about six months into his tenure when an individual at a board meeting expressed blatantly racist views. “I was floored by the hatred and racism that came out of her mouth. I had no idea how deep the hatred was in some of these individuals,” he recounted, reflecting on the stark contrast between their views and his own beliefs.

As the board leaned increasingly far-right, Garman found himself becoming a swing vote, often siding with the board’s sole moderate, Mary Rickert. Despite pushback from some conservatives, Garman remained dedicated to representing the entire county, stating, “I work for the entire county.”

Opinions about Garman’s actions vary significantly among constituents. Some see him as a principled leader striving for responsible governance amidst chaos, while others label him a traitor to the far-right movement. Local journalist Doni Chamberlain commented, “He made some really bad votes… but I think he has a conscience.”

Conversely, some of Garman’s original supporters now express disappointment, feeling betrayed by his divergence from their shared ideology. However, Garman stands firm that his decision-making process remains unchanged, asserting, “All my decisions are well thought-out, well-researched, and, in my opinion, the best for our county.”

As the political landscape in Shasta County continues to evolve, Garman acknowledges his differences with the board majority and expresses hope for a more stable future. With redistricting posing challenges ahead, he remains optimistic about a return to public office in 2026, confident that the residents are ready for change.

“The people of Shasta County have spoken and said enough is enough,” he concluded.