A Better Georgia
I owe everything to my mom, Linda. She taught me that our greatest responsibility is to uplift and improve the community around us. As a single mother juggling two or three jobs to provide for my sister and me, she embodied selflessness and found joy in helping others. She showed me what it means to be a good neighbor and to treat others with kindness and dignity.
My mom, raising two young kids in Columbus, Georgia, wanted what all Georgia families deserve: the ability to provide for our loved ones and keep them safe.
As your State Senator, I carry these lessons with me every day. I’ve worked to improve the lives of my constituents because I know too many Georgians are being left behind. That’s why I’ve championed legislation to invest in our schools, expand access to affordable healthcare, reduce housing costs, and support small businesses.
Every Georgian deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter where they live.
As a small business owner, former school board member, and public school teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how opportunities that should be available to everyone are too often reserved for a select few. I’ve also seen how these opportunities are shaped by decisions made in the Georgia legislature.
From northwest Atlanta to the City of South Fulton, and from Smyrna to Vinings, I will continue fighting for a stronger public education system, quality healthcare, and a thriving economy.
At the Georgia State Capitol, I’m using my experience to help build a brighter, safer future for all Georgians.
Together, we can create a better Georgia—one where every family has the opportunity to succeed.
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Meet Jason
Business Leader. Entrepreneur. Caregiver. Dad.
Guided by a commitment to opportunity and service, Jason Esteves is dedicated to building a Georgia where every family can thrive. As the State Senator for District 35, Jason focuses on the issues that matter most to our families: he works hard to make it easier for students to get a good education, for families to be able to afford quality healthcare and housing, and for all Georgians to have access to good-paying jobs.
Sworn into office on January 9, 2023, Jason serves on several key Senate committees, including Children and Families, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Finance, State and Local Governmental Operations, and Ethics. As Vice Chair of Finance and a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus executive team, he committed to finding smart ways to keep investing in Georgia communities.
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Jason believes in the power of education to transform lives. As a former at-large representative and Board Chair of the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education, he worked to make sure students had the resources they needed to succeed. Under his leadership, Atlanta Public Schools achieved record-breaking graduation rates, redirected funding to classrooms instead of administration, and provided over $100 million in staff pay increases and stipends.
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Jason also understands the struggles small business owners and families face. As an entrepreneur and small business owner, he has firsthand experience with the challenges of rising costs and the need for livable wages. In the Georgia State Capitol, Jason uses his expertise as a litigation attorney, former corporate executive, and entrepreneur to advocate for policies that help Georgia businesses grow, ensure workers can support their families, and strengthen the state’s economy.
Jason is deeply committed to service beyond the legislature. He serves on the boards of the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, the World Affairs Council, and the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation—organizations that reflect his passion for supporting children, families, and justice. He is also an active member of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and Leadership Atlanta, where he works with leaders of the past, present, and future.
Jason’s dedication to public service is matched by his partnership with his wife, Ariel, a healthcare leader and advocate. Ariel is an executive at an health insurance company and the founder of an urgent and primary care clinic serving their community. She is passionate about reproductive health and public education, and serves on the boards of organizations that work to address gaps in those two areas.
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Jason and Ariel are proud parents of Jaeden and Zoe, and reside in northwest Atlanta.
Priorities
Strong Public Schools
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As a parent, former school board member, and former public school teacher, Jason believes in the power of a strong public education system and knows that Georgia cannot thrive without improving our schools. Jason continues to advocate for fully funding public schools, supporting the work of local school districts to close opportunity gaps, and expanding early learning programs for three and four year olds.
At the Georgia State Capitol, Jason introduced a bill to invest in rural Georgia schools and improve outcomes for Georgia public school students, regardless of their parent’s income level or their zip code.
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Accessible and Affordable Healthcare
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Jason understands the importance of having access to high quality, affordable healthcare options. He knows that healthcare involves more than healing your body; mental health and wellness are just as important. As a caretaker for his mother, who has Alzheimer's Disease, Jason has also seen firsthand the need to strengthen care and support for our seniors and their families.
As a State Senator, Jason continues to fight to expand Medicaid, invest in mental health support, secure much-needed resources for senior care, and cut the cost of prescription drugs for Georgians. During his first legislative session, the Georgia State Senate unanimously passed his bill to expand access to healthcare and improve health outcomes for state employees, including Georgia teachers.
Economic Opportunity
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Jason believes that everyone deserves to thrive in Georgia's economy and that you should get fair pay for your hard work. As a small business owner, he also understands the challenges and opportunities that come with opening a business. Our small businesses are what drive our state economy as over half of all Georgians are employed by small businesses.
Jason will fight for a living wage, so that everyone can afford food, housing, and other necessities. Jason will also advocate for common-sense legislation to make it easier for Georgians to grow their businesses, build wealth, and improve their neighborhoods.
Relief for Georgia Homeowners & Renters
Jason believes that access to quality housing is essential to the safety and well-being of Georgia families. As a State Senator, Jason is committed to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address our state’s housing shortage while providing relief for Georgia homeowners and renters.
Under the Gold Dome, Jason sponsored a bill, now signed into law by Governor Kemp, to bring down property taxes for seniors in Atlanta. Jason also advocated for bills that increase transparency and accountability to protect renters from predatory landlords.
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Reproductive Freedom
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Jason believes each and every woman in Georgia has the right to make her own healthcare decisions with her family and her doctor. As a State Senator, Jason worked to restore reproductive freedom in the state of Georgia and stand up for Georgia women who have been unjustly denied reproductive healthcare.
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Community Safety
As the father of two young students, Jason is committed to putting an end to our nation’s gun violence crisis. Students deserve to go to school without having to worry about another student showing up with a gun.
As Board Chair of the Atlanta Board of Education, Jason worked with school administrators and local law enforcement to promote safe storage of firearms and protect Georgia students.
Investing in Georgia's Clean Energy Economy
All Georgia families deserve to have access to clean air and water. Jason also believes we can bring down utility costs for Georgia families while protecting Georgia’s booming clean energy economy.
Under the Gold Dome, Jason has led efforts to bring down energy utility costs for Georgia families, improve our state’s public transportation infrastructure, stand up for Georgia farmers, and protect Georgia’s clean air and clean water.
Standing Up for All Georgians
While we may have diverse backgrounds and beliefs, we all deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. Jason is pro-choice, pro-equality, and an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. And he will fight to protect Georgians who experience discrimination because of who they are, where they are from, or who they love.
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Jason believes that by working together, we can build a brighter, better future for Georgia.
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Endorsements
