Meet Ash Walsh: A Community Advocate for Barrow
- Mar 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 18
Hey Barrow County,
I'm Ash Walsh, and if you've lived here long enough, we might have crossed paths at cross country meets, trail run clubs, church, or maybe even that time in 2023 when a bunch of us parents and students banded together to save the BASA track program from getting shut down. We won that fight because we showed up, spoke up, and had a board member who truly cared and listened. That experience stuck with me: I saw firsthand that having a real voice at the table makes all the difference.
If we haven't met yet, I'll share a little but keep it brief! I grew up in Statham off Highway 82, one of six kids in the Ringo house. My parents, Kevin and Leslie, ran Berean Bible Fellowship in downtown Winder for years, and before that we were at Gospel Light. Now we've been at Bethlehem Church since before the current pastor was serving. Faith, family, and community were how we lived growing up and and it's how I still live today. After a few years away from Winder, I married my high school sweetheart, Dan, and we moved back in 2005 to raise our two kids right by Apalachee High School. We've been here over 20 years now, watching them grow, cheering at all the meets and games, and staying plugged in.
Beyond being a mom, I work as an HR Director for a multi-location retail company (people and processes are my wheelhouse). I also run Wolf Peak Outdoors, coaching runners and putting on trail events to get folks moving and connected. On the side, I'm a tech and media junkie: graphic design, media production, website work, and helping businesses streamline digitally and run smoother. Right now, I'm finishing my criminology degree with eyes on a JD, so I can practice law and help low-income women who need a fair shot.
Life's been busy over the years. I coached the BASA cross country team from 2020 to 2023, ran free run clubs and women's groups, hosted summer campouts and events for kids and more. Our evenings were packed with sports and events for a long time, but now things have slowed down. Our oldest graduated BASA in 2024, and our youngest finishes at Apalachee this year. The house is quieter, and instead of filling that space with more of the same, I felt called to step up bigger. I prayed hard about it, talked it over with family, and decided: this is the time to serve on the school board.
All of it boils down to one thing for me: advocating for people, pursuing justice, and building stronger communities. I feel pretty strongly that's what God put me on this Earth to do. What I want to bring to District 4 on the Barrow County Board of Education is straightforward and no-nonsense:
Real Accessibility: If you've already gone through the chain of command (teacher to principal to district admins) and still need help, or it's a bigger policy or budget issue, I want to be available to you and easy to reach. I will have a button on my site to message me or schedule a one-on-one (in-person, phone, or Zoom). I'll block mornings twice a week and one evening. I'll be here to listen and take your concerns to the board.
Straight-Up Updates: Regular blog posts here with what I'm working on, clarity on what's coming up at board meetings and how you can be involved. No runarounds, no secrets. Just keeping you in the loop with transparency and integrity.
Zero Special Interests: I'm not doing the whole "good ol' boys club" thing. Ever. I refuse to foster shady connections or focus on hidden political agendas. I fought against that stuff in 2023, and I'll keep fighting it. I'm nobody's puppet. I only want to work for the citizens of Barrow. (You won't see a donation button here, ever. I don't want your money or anyone's!)
Teachers First : I have loads of teacher friends in this community, and I've spent countless hours volunteering in the schools. My teacher friends deserve better pay, respect, and support. Though I know that if elected, I don't get to make magic happen, but I hope you will know that any opportunity I get, I'll always advocate hard for competitive salaries and resources to keep and attract great educators.
Transparency Always: Full openness in decisions, real representation for every family, student, and taxpayer. Period. It's what I wanted and advocated for before, and it's what I will do my absolute best to provide if elected.
I understand that some folks run for school board as part of a bigger agenda. For me, it's about paying it forward. I've learned a strong community starts with kids having chances (sports, activities, support) to avoid the pitfalls I hit as a teen. Like I've mentioned before, this is my passion in life. I had my son at 18 after some really rough teen years, and I know firsthand how involvement in community can change trajectories.
The primary election is coming up fast: May 19, 2026. Early voting starts April 27 through May 15 at the Barrow County Elections Office (233 East Broad Street, Administration Annex, Winder, GA 30680, weekdays 8 a.m., plus some Saturdays). On Election Day, polls are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at your precinct. Check your spot, registration, or absentee options at mvp.sos.ga.gov, or call Barrow Elections at 770-307-3510.
If you're in District 4 and ready for an independent voice who listens, shows up, and fights for our schools without the drama, I'm asking for your vote. Let's keep building the Barrow County our kids deserve!
Thanks for reading. Drop me a message if you want to talk... I'm here!
Ash Walsh
Candidate for Barrow County Board of Education, District 4
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