Jason Esteves

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Jason Esteves
Esteves in 2025
Member of the Georgia State Senate
from the 35th district
In office
January 9, 2023 – September 10, 2025
Preceded byJen Jordan
Succeeded byVacant
Personal details
BornJason Fernando Esteves
(1983-07-19) July 19, 1983 (age 42)
Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Miami (BA)
Emory University (JD)

Jason Fernando Esteves[1] (born July 19, 1983)[2] is an American attorney, businessman, politician, and former educator who represented Georgia's 35th Senate district from 2023 until his resignation in 2025. He served as an at-large representative and later as Board Chair of the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education from 2013 until he assumed office in the Georgia State Senate. He assumed office on January 9, 2023 after being elected in November 2022. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

In April 2025, Esteves announced that he will run for Governor of Georgia in the state's 2026 gubernatorial election. Later that year he resigned from the Georgia State Senate to focus on his campaign.

Early life and education

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Jason Esteves was raised in Columbus, Georgia, by Linda and Fernando Esteves.[3] He attended South Columbus Elementary and Eddy Middle School.[4] He is of Afro–Puerto Rican descent.[5]

Esteves attended Columbus High School for his first two years before graduating high school in Orlando, Florida.[6] He later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Miami and a Juris Doctor from the Emory University School of Law.[7] Esteves was the first in his family to attend college.

Early career

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After graduating from college, Esteves began his career teaching social studies at a public middle school in Houston, Texas.[8] He worked as an associate at McKenna Long & Aldridge in Atlanta from 2010 to 2014. Esteves joined Equifax as Assistant General Counsel in 2014 and became Vice President of Legal in 2019. In 2023, he and his wife opened the Flying Biscuit Cafe in Columbus,[9] and in 2025 opened a second location in Macon.[10] He currently serves as Of Counsel at Hudson Cook, LLP.[11]

Atlanta School Board

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From 2014 to 2022, he served as an at-large representative of the Atlanta Board of Education and as its chair from 2018 to 2021.[12]

During his tenure, Atlanta Public Schools boosted high school graduation rates and increased salaries for employees.[13][14] While Esteves was chair of the board, they passed an equity policy to address resource gaps,[15] created a task force to support LGBTQ students and teachers,[16] pledged to promote safe and responsible storage of firearms,[17] and prioritized mental health.[18] Esteves helped raise the wage of Atlanta public school employees to 15 dollars an hour and supports raising the federal minimum wage.[19]

Georgia State Senate

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Election

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He was elected to the Georgia State Senate in November 2022. During his campaign, Esteves was endorsed by Latino Victory Fund,[20] National Democratic Redistricting Committee,[21] Human Rights Campaign[22] and Georgia Equality.[23] He ran unopposed for reelection in 2024,[7] and was endorsed for reelection by the Democrats for Education Reform,[24] Vote Common Good,[25] Reproductive Freedom for All, CASA in Action,[26] Fair Fight Action[27] and United Auto Workers.[28]

Tenure

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Esteves serves on multiple Georgia State Senate Committees including the Children and Families Committee, the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, the Finance Committee, the State and Local Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Ethics Committee.[29]

In 2024, the Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus elected Esteves to serve as the Vice Chair of Finance for their caucus.[30]

He resigned on September 10, 2025, in order to focus on his gubernatorial campaign.[31]

Education

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Esteves supported additional investments in public education[32] and authored legislation to establish health savings accounts for Georgia government employees, including public teachers.[33]

In a 2021 op-ed, Esteves supported a transition to zero-emission electric school busses.[34] In 2024, he introduced a bill to update and modernize Georgia's quality-based education formula to include more funding for low-income districts.[35] Esteves has also advocated for supporting and strengthening special education programs.[36] He is also a critic of Georgia's school voucher program, saying that it does not live up to its promises, and suggested the resources would be better allocated to public schools.[37] In 2025, Esteves spoke at a rally supporting the restoration of federal funding for the sciences.[38]

Abortion

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Esteves supports legal access to abortion. In 2023, he sponsored legislation to repeal Georgia House Bill 481, the so-called "heartbeat" bill passed in 2019. This bill outlaws most abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat.[19][36]

Healthcare

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Esteves supports Medicaid expansion.[19] In a 2025 op-ed in the Ledger-Enquirer, Esteves argued for a bill he introduced that would allow Medicare to cover expenses for assisted living and care facilities.[39]

Housing

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In 2025, Esteves proposed legislation that would stop private equity firms from being allowed to purchase houses.[40][41][36]

Buckhead cityhood

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In 2023, Esteves opposed the effort to let the Atlanta neighborhood, Buckhead, secede from the city of Atlanta, claiming the proposed breakaway measures were "at best half-baked plans that would endanger the livelihoods of all Georgians, especially [his] Buckhead constituents."[42]

In 2025, Humberto Garcia-Sjogrim, a co-founder of the movement to block Buckhead cityhood, endorsed Esteves's candidacy for governor.[43]

Other political positions

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In 2022 Esteves supported a nonpartisan commission for redistricting.[19] In the same year, he opposed allowing the concealed carry of firearms without a license.[19] In a 2022 letter that he wrote, Esteves endorsed the expansion of the U.S. Supreme Court.[44]

In 2023, Esteves introduced a bill to protect judges, prosecutors, and other public officials by requiring governmental agencies to redact personal identifying information from public records.[45][46]

In 2024, in a hearing on AI, he said that the legislature must support AI while also protecting people from its repercussions.[47] In a letter that same year, Esteves urged President Joe Biden to extend work visas to long-term migrants.[48]

In 2025, Esteves proposed replacing the statue of Confederate leader Alexander Stephens in the U.S. Capitol with former President Jimmy Carter, citing his legacy of human rights and public service.[49] Also in 2025, Esteves introduced a resolution honoring the International Franchise Association and its former president Doc Cohen for boosting economic growth and making contributions to communities coast to coast.[50] Also in 2025, Esteves co-sponsored a bipartisan bill that declared children being unsupervised is not child neglect and those decisions should be left to the parent.[51]

Democratic Party of Georgia

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Esteves was elected as the Treasurer of the Democratic Party of Georgia in 2019, a position that he occupied until 2025.[52]

After the first 2024 election debate, Esteves continued to back Joe Biden's re-election campaign,[53] and he endorsed Kamala Harris after Biden dropped out.[54]

2026 Georgia gubernatorial campaign

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Main article: 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election

In 2025, Esteves announced his candidacy in the Democratic primary for the 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election.[55] He resigned from the Georgia Senate on September 10, 2025, in order to focus on his campaign.[31]

Personal life

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He met his wife, Ariel, while he was attending Emory University School of Law. Ariel is a nurse practitioner and small business owner. They own several small businesses across the state, including an urgent and primary care clinic in Atlanta and The Flying Biscuit in Columbus and Macon.[56] They were married in Atlanta in 2012 and have two children, Jaeden and Zoe.[57] Esteves is Catholic.[58]

Since his mother Linda's diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease, Jason and Ariel have served as her caregivers.[39]

Awards

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In 2014, Esteves was recognized by Georgia Trend as one of the most outstanding Georgians under 40.[59] In 2017, Esteves was included on the Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 under 40 list.[60]

In 2019, he was recognized at the ADL Southeast Jurisprudence Luncheon for his values rooted in public service and education.[61] He was also placed on the top 50 most influential Latinos in Georgia by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.[62]

In 2024, Esteves was named the Legislator of the Year by multiple organizations including the Technology Association of Georgia, Alzheimer's Association, and the League of Southeastern Credit Unions.[63]

Electoral history

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Georgia House

2012 Georgia House District 53 Democratic Primary [64]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shelia Jones (Incumbent) 3,562 64.79%
Democratic Jason Esteves 1,624 29.54%
Democratic Robert Patillo 312 5.67%
Total votes 5,498 100.0%

Atlanta Board of Education at Large

2013 Atlanta Board of Education at Large[65]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Jason Esteves 13,304 34.32%
Nonpartisan Lori James 11,909 30.72%
Nonpartisan Sean Norman 5,029 12.97%
Nonpartisan Ed Johnson 4,558 11.76%
Nonpartisan Eddie Lee Brewster 3,772 9.73%
Nonpartisan Write In 191 0.49%
Total votes 38,763 100.0%
2013 Atlanta Board of Education at Large Runoff[66]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Jason Esteves 10,564 71.39%
Nonpartisan Lori James 4,233 28.61%
Total votes 14,797 100.0%
2017 Atlanta Board of Education at Large[67]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Jason Esteves (Incumbent) 100%
Total votes 100
2021 Atlanta Board of Education at Large[68]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Jason Esteves (Incumbent) 42,307 61.38%
Nonpartisan Jason B Allen 16,588 24.07%
Nonpartisan D'Jaris James 10,029 14.55%
Total votes 68,924 100.0%

Georgia Senate

2022 Georgia State Senate - District 6 Democratic Primary [69]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Esteves 6,805 54.5%
Democratic Luisa Wakeman 5,680 45.5%
Total votes 12,485 100.0%
2022 Georgia State Senate - District 6 General election[70]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Esteves 45,076 56.6%
Republican Fred Glass 34,607 43.4%
Total votes 79,683 100.0%
2024 Georgia State Senate - District 35 Primary election[71]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Esteves (Incumbent) 18,265 100%
Total votes 100
2024 Georgia State Senate - District 35 General election[72]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jason Esteves (Incumbent) 100%
Total votes 82,713 100

References

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  1. ^ "Former State Sen. Jason Esteves - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  2. ^ "Georgia Democrat Jason Esteves says he's running for governor in 2026". April 21, 2025.
  3. ^ McGee, Brittany (June 5, 2025). "Georgia governor candidate discusses how his Columbus roots inform his platform". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  4. ^ Wilson, Chuck (April 23, 2023). "Sunday Conversation: Georgia State Sen. Jason Esteves talks about his deep Columbus roots". WRBL.
  5. ^ Robinson, Jasmine (October 10, 2024). "'Latinos are more than you can imagine': Afro Latinos in Atlanta talk about identity, culture and belonging". WABE. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  6. ^ McGee, Brittany (June 5, 2025). "Georgia governor candidate discusses how his Columbus roots inform his platform". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Jason Esteves". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  8. ^ McGee, Brittany (June 5, 2025). "Georgia governor candidate discusses how his Columbus roots inform his platform". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  9. ^ McGee, Brittany (May 23, 2023). "This Georgia state senator is opening an Atlanta-based restaurant in Highside Market". Ledger-Enquirer.
  10. ^ "All day breakfast coming downtown | Flying Biscuit Cafe coming to Macon". WMAZ. October 22, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  11. ^ "Jason Esteves". Hudson Cook. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  12. ^ McCray, Vanessa. "Esteves to resign from Atlanta school board after state Senate win". ajc. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  13. ^ McCray, Vanessa. "Atlanta high school graduation rates increase for class of 2021". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  14. ^ McCray, Vanessa. "Atlanta school board approves raises for 6,200 employees". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  15. ^ McCray, Vanessa. "Proposed Atlanta school policy aims to remedy 'historic' racial inequity". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  16. ^ McCray, Vanessa. "Atlanta school board launches task force to support LGBT students". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  17. ^ McCray, Vanessa. "Atlanta school leaders call for safe gun storage". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  18. ^ McCray, Vanessa. "Atlanta schools tackle pandemic's mental health toll on students". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  19. ^ a b c d e Gaunt, Rebecca (March 20, 2022). "Jason Esteves: Democratic candidate for state senate district 6". Cobb Courier. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  20. ^ "Georgia's Latino population keeps growing. Why are there so few in office?". POLITICO. May 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  21. ^ "Georgia". National Democratic Redistricting Committee. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  22. ^ "Human Rights Campaign Endorses Pro-Equality Champions in Georgia". HRC. October 5, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  23. ^ abryant (September 9, 2022). "Release: Georgia Equality Releases Endorsements for 2022 General Elections". Georgia Equality. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  24. ^ Searcy, Alisha (May 14, 2024). "DFER's Regional President, South, Alisha Searcy Endorses Thirteen Candidates for Georgia Primaries". Democrats for Education Reform. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  25. ^ "2024 Candidates for Common Good". Vote Common Good. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  26. ^ "CASA in Action Announces Endorsements for Georgia's State Races - CASA IN ACTION". casainaction.org. August 20, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  27. ^ "Endorsements". fairfight.com. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  28. ^ "Georgia - UAW Endorsements". UAW Endorsements. September 6, 2024. Archived from the original on September 6, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  29. ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  30. ^ "Harold Jones elected Georgia Senate Democratic leader |". capitol-beat.org. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  31. ^ a b "Jason Esteves resigns from Georgia Senate to focus on campaign for governor". The Associated Press. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  32. ^ Cook, Brianna (March 27, 2024). "Georgia lawmaker introduces bill to boost education funding for impoverished students". WGXA. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  33. ^ Niesse, Mark. "Kemp veto cited costs, but HSA bill could have saved money". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  34. ^ Esteves, Jason (September 15, 2021). "Esteves: Why Electric School Buses Are A Win for Georgians". The Atlanta Voice. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  35. ^ Cook, Brianna (March 27, 2024). "Georgia lawmaker introduces bill to boost education funding for impoverished students". WGXA. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  36. ^ a b c Lee, Maggie (October 9, 2022). "Jason Esteves". Atlanta Civic Circle. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  37. ^ Kousouris, Abby (March 11, 2025). "Georgia lawmakers consider lowering budget for school voucher program". Atlanta News First. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  38. ^ GPB, Amanda Andrews | (March 9, 2025). "Protesters rally for science and against federal cuts at state Capitol". Rough Draft Atlanta. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  39. ^ a b Esteves, Jason (February 10, 2025). "Georgia lawmaker pushes for better senior care, expanded Medicaid for home care | Opinion". Ledger-Enquirer.
  40. ^ "Atlanta Senator Jason Esteves Unveils Bills Targeting Housing Affordability Crisis in Georgia". Hoodline. March 6, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  41. ^ Keenan, Sean (February 8, 2024). "Forget "rent control" for now. What about first tracking landlord practices?". Atlanta Civic Circle. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  42. ^ Bluestein, Greg; Bunch, Riley. "Kemp administration deals blow to Buckhead cityhood push". Political Insider (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  43. ^ "Atlanta leaders snub former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms' run for governor". ajc. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  44. ^ Silva, Liyanga de (August 8, 2022). "50+ Elected Officials Across GA, NC Endorse Supreme Court Expansion". Demand Justice. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  45. ^ Glier, Ray (March 3, 2023). "Plan to shield government officials' personal info from public records sweeps Ga. Senate • Georgia Recorder". Georgia Recorder. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  46. ^ AllOnGeorgia (February 18, 2023). "Senator Jason Esteves Introduces Bipartisan Legislation". AllOnGeorgia. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  47. ^ Williams, Ross (July 16, 2024). "Artificial Intelligence on the minds of Georgia Senate study committee". Georgia Recorder. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  48. ^ abic (May 14, 2024). "U.S. Rep. Espaillat, Key Swing State Latino Elected Officials Issue Urgent Call to President Biden: Extend Work Permits to Long-Term Immigrants". American Business Immigration Coalition. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  49. ^ "Push to replace Confederate statue with Jimmy Carter's in US Capitol". 11Alive.com. March 5, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  50. ^ Vinnedge, Mary (March 24, 2025). "IFA and Doc Cohen Recognized for Franchise Leadership". FranchiseWire. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  51. ^ lskenazy (February 14, 2025). "No More Knocks on the Doors of Decent Parents: 5 States Considering Reasonable Childhood Independence Laws!". Free-Range Kids. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  52. ^ Staff and wire reports (April 21, 2025). "Democratic Sen. Jason Esteves launches bid for Ga. governor". wrdw.com. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  53. ^ "Georgia Democrats react to Atlanta presidential debate political fallout". 11Alive.com. July 10, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  54. ^ Reardon, Doug (July 24, 2024). "Georgia Democrats unanimously endorse VP Harris as presidential nominee". www.atlantanewsfirst.com. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  55. ^ "Sen. Jason Esteves announces campaign for governor of Georgia". FOX 5 Atlanta. April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  56. ^ Suggs, Donnell (August 5, 2025). "Why Him? Why Now? Why Not?: Jason Esteves wants to be Georgia's Next Governor". The Atlanta Voice. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  57. ^ "Jason Esteves – NewDEAL". April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  58. ^ Esteves, Jason (September 28, 2025). "post". Twitter/X. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  59. ^ Kennedy, Karen (October 1, 2014). "2014 40 Under 40". Georgia Trend Magazine. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  60. ^ "40 Under 40 Awards: Equifax's Jason Esteves". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  61. ^ Intern, A. J. T. (March 20, 2019). "ADL Timely Stalwart in Fighting Hate". Atlanta Jewish Times. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  62. ^ "50 Most Influential Latinos". Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
  63. ^ "Technology Association of Georgia Names Senator Jason Esteves Legislator of the Year – Georgia Senate Press Office". November 3, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  64. ^ "Election Results". results.sos.ga.gov. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  65. ^ "Four Atlanta School Board Races to be Decided in Runoffs". Midtown, GA Patch. November 6, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  66. ^ "New Reps Make Up Two-Thirds of Atlanta School Board". Midtown, GA Patch. December 4, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  67. ^ Kelley, Collin (November 1, 2017). "Election Day: Run-offs expected in a number of contested city races". Rough Draft Atlanta. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  68. ^ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  69. ^ "Georgia State Senate - District 6 Democratic Primary Results | Fall River Herald News". www.heraldnews.com. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  70. ^ "Georgia State Senate - District 6 Election Results | The Commercial Appeal". www.commercialappeal.com. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  71. ^ "Election Results". results.sos.ga.gov. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  72. ^ "2024 Georgia Candidates". WABE. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
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