State Sen. Jason Esteves, a Democrat from Atlanta, has announced his run for Georgia governor in 2026, a move that could see him become the state's first Afro-Latino governor. Esteves announced his campaign yesterday, presenting himself as a champion for working families and a bulwark against what he views as harmful conservative policies. "I’m running for Governor to make Georgia the number one place to work, start a business, and raise a family," Esteves told Atlanta News First.
Esteves is positioned as a candidate with deep roots in public service, having served as the Atlanta Public Schools board chair and as a former public school teacher. He's pledging to address the high cost of living, ensure healthcare access, and protect reproductive rights. Notably, Esteves and his wife own various small businesses in the state, including an urgent and primary care clinic in the Atlanta area and restaurants in Columbus and Macon, which emphasizes his entrepreneurial spirit. According to a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta, he draws on this as further commitment to making Georgia a premier destination for economic opportunity.
Against the backdrop of a state that's seen its fair share of political battles and a Republican party aligned closely with the policies of former President Donald Trump, Esteves's campaign seems set to contrast these views sharply. His announcement comes as Republican Attorney General Chris Carr also confirms his candidacy for governor, centering his platform around public safety, economic growth, and a continuation of the Republican governance style.
Esteves joins the political fray after nearly ten years on the Board of Education for Atlanta Public Schools and a subsequent tenure in the Georgia Senate. His legislative work has included efforts to lower housing costs for seniors and expand educational funding. During his leadership as school board chair, Esteves oversaw what he describes as record-high graduation rates and significant pay increases for staff, as detailed by Atlanta News First.
The upcoming election, with the incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp termed out, has been billed as potentially one of the state's most fiercely contested gubernatorial races in recent memory. It recalls past competitions, particularly the contentious 2018 and 2022 battles between Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams.
