Georgia Democrat Jason Esteves says he’s running for governor in 2026

ATLANTa AP Georgia Democrat Jason Esteves released on Monday that he s running for governor in entering a field that remains murky for his party after two top likely candidates backed away from a run The -year-old state senator also a lawyer and business owner remains largely unknown outside his state Senate district which includes parts of Fulton and Cobb counties An early announcement could help him to raise money and increase his visibility He s likely to emphasize his biography including his young children and his past arrangement as a general school educator Esteves has also served as treasurer of the state Democratic Party giving him a system among Democratic activists In a video announcing his candidacy Esteves sounded a note of opposition to Republican President Donald Trump while saying he would emphasize lowering the cost of living including housing costs as well as expanding fitness care restoring abortion rights and increasing funding for schools I m running for Governor to make Georgia the number one place to work start a business and raise a family Esteves mentioned in a message As extreme politicians in Georgia push Trump s reckless agenda and rig the system for special interests Georgians pay the price Incumbent Republican Gov Brian Kemp is term-limited after two terms and can t seek reelection in Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has announced she plans to run for governor as a Democrat but has not yet filed papers to create a campaign Former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has also expressed interest and two-time nominee Stacey Abrams could yet choose to run again On the Republican side Attorney General Chris Carr declared his run for governor last year and Lt Gov Burt Jones is expected to announce his candidacy soon Esteves enters the race as two anticipated Democratic candidates step back to focus on family robustness concerns Former state Sen Jason Carter Democrats nominee and grandson of the late former President Jimmy Carter disclosed he has no plans to seek the nomination because of his wife s cancer assessment Kate Carter has glioblastoma an aggressive form of brain cancer The couple has two teenage sons For all intents and purposes I can t imagine making a decision to run because it s the wrong time for my family Carter stated The Associated Press on Monday U S Rep Lucy McBath publicized on March that she was suspending her exploratory bid for governor in saying she needed to focus on her husband Curtis soundness after complications from cancer surgery The four-term member of Congress best known as a gun control advocate had filed papers on March to raise money for governor Carter has been mentioned as a centrist candidate with high name identification who could run as a bridge between the Democrats base and voters who might be up for grabs if President Donald Trump s popularity and the Republican brand take a dip heading into An Atlanta attorney who has been out of politics since losing the governor s race Carter has drawn renewed attention in latest years as Carter Center board chairman and family spokesperson as his grandparents physical condition declined He eulogized his grandfather in January at the th president s state funeral in Washington and did the same for his grandmother Rosalynn Carter at her Atlanta funeral in December The younger Carter commented he s not going to endorse anybody but added I m very excited about Jason Esteves and what he can offer voters and the party Esteves first won poll to the state Senate in after nine years on the Atlanta school board He was chair of the board for four years including part of the time that the distict was heavily impacted by COVID- He touts increased graduation rates and higher pay for staff during that time but specific parents were displeased with how long it took the district to resume in-person classes While Esteves was leading the board it also decided not to renew Superintendent Meria Carstarphen s contract which causes a stir among those who supported Carstarphen s leadership following the school district s cheating embarrassment Esteves and his wife Ariel own Flying Biscuit restaurants in Macon and Columbus Esteves hometown He and his wife also own an urgent and primary care clinic They have two children Associated Press writer Bill Barrow contributed to this description Source