Marjorie Taylor Greene is stepping down from Congress, leaving a divided reaction in her Georgia district. Greene, known for her fiery style and controversial statements, resigned halfway through her third term on Monday. In Dalton, Georgia, some Republicans still see Greene as a “mama bear” who spoke for their beliefs. Jackie Harling, chair of the local Republican Party, praised her ability to voice ideas that others would not. “She seemed to verbalize everything we thought,” Harling said. For many supporters, Greene’s boldness and willingness to fight made her an important figure in Washington. Yet, not everyone in her district shares that view. Independent voters like Heath Patterson questioned her impact on local communities. “I don’t know of anything she did here except get her voice heard. But did we benefit? I don’t think so,” Patterson said. Greene’s national profile grew from her embrace of conspiracy theories and outspoken rhetoric. Over time, she also broke with former President Donald Trump, criticizing his foreign policy and questioning his reluctance to release documents on the Jeffrey Epstein case. Trump later announced he would back a primary challenger against her, prompting Greene to resign shortly after. Despite leaving Congress, Greene has continued criticizing Trump, including his recent decision to strike Venezuela. On social media, she wrote, “This is what many in MAGA thought they voted to end. Boy were we wrong.” Greene’s rise mirrored Trump’s own political ascent. She entered politics during his 2016 campaign and won her first congressional race in 2020. Originally considering Georgia’s 6th district, Greene moved to the 14th district, where the incumbent Republican was retiring. She remained loyal to Trump after his 2020 loss, promoting claims of a stolen election and campaigning with him in 2024 while wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat. Her district is strongly Republican, though it once supported Democrats like former Governor and U.S. Senator Zell Miller, who implemented Georgia’s lottery program funding scholarships and early education. Some residents feel left behind by rapid changes, as noted by Jan Pourquoi, a Belgian immigrant who became a U.S. citizen and local official. He cited population growth and cultural shifts that make longtime residents feel “culturally oppressed.” “People here see themselves as proud, Christian Americans,” Pourquoi said. Greene became a symbol of resistance to broader national trends, representing a “stick it to them” approach. Georgia’s political map favors Republicans, making primary elections the key contests. This system gives candidates like Greene an incentive to appeal to hardline voters, leaving centrists like Patterson and Pourquoi with little influence. Locally, Greene’s supporters celebrated her tenure at Republican gatherings. At a recent Christmas party, party volunteers praised her “America First” positions and her willingness to challenge both Democrats and Republican leaders. Gavin Swafford, who worked on Greene’s first campaign, called her “an accountability representative” for her bold stances. Supporters highlighted Greene’s work on cultural issues such as abortion and transgender policies. Some noted she occasionally broke with her party, supporting Korean-owned solar factories and extending health insurance subsidies, showing a mix of positions. Even as Greene resigns, there is no clear side taken among local Republicans between her and Trump. Swafford described their dynamic as “inevitable when you have two firebrands that are both stubborn.” He said Greene’s biggest contributions were not in passing laws but in representing her voters’ voice. However, some believe her successor should combine fighting spirit with attentiveness to local needs. Star Black, a Republican running to replace Greene, said, “You need someone who is going to listen. You need someone who is going to represent you.” Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation leaves a legacy of controversy, bold politics, and a district now searching for its next voice in Congress.