State Sen. Jason Esteves of Atlanta resigned Wednesday from his Georgia Senate seat to devote his full attention to his campaign for governor, saying the state's challenges require “bold solutions and new leadership” in the governor’s office.
Esteves, a Democrat, said in a statement that the best way to serve Georgians is to put “my whole heart into this campaign,” and his departure triggers a special election in Senate District 35, which includes parts of Fulton and Cobb counties. Gov. Brian Kemp is required to set the date for the contest.
Esteves’ decision underscores a broader calculation facing state lawmakers who are mounting statewide campaigns: Georgia law generally bars current elected officials from raising campaign money while the General Assembly is in session, which runs from January into April. That prohibition can interrupt fundraising in the critical stretch before the May party primaries and has prompted at least some prospective candidates to leave office.
Esteves is one of several Democrats vying for the party’s 2026 gubernatorial nomination. His primary opponents include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and state Rep. Derrick Jackson of Tyrone. On the Republican side, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is also running for governor.
Fundraising dynamics have factored heavily in the calculations of candidates from both parties. The lieutenant governor and other legislative leaders can use a leadership committee — a type of fundraising vehicle that allows unlimited contributions even when lawmakers are in session — giving Jones an advantage that is not available to most rank-and-file legislators. That law has been the subject of repeated legal challenges, including one brought by Republican Chris Carr, who is competing against Jones for the GOP nomination.
The ability to continue raising funds during the 2026 legislative session may prompt other officeholders to resign in coming months, political operatives say, as candidates weigh the demands of campaigning with the responsibilities of governing and the limitations on campaign finance activity while the legislature is in session.
Esteves’ resignation is likely to be the first of several such vacancies. At least 10 other Georgia lawmakers are running for statewide office in 2026, and the wave of candidacies has already reshaped Republican leadership in the state Senate. Party rules required Sen. John Kennedy of Macon to step down as president pro tem and Sen. Steve Gooch of Dahlonega to step down as majority leader; both are running for lieutenant governor. Other candidates in that contest include Republican Sen. Blake Tillery of Vidalia, Democratic Sen. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs and Republican state Rep. David Clark of Buford. Republican Sen. Greg Dolezal of Cumming has also been mentioned as considering a bid.
In other statewide races, Republican Sens. Bill Cowsert of Athens and Brian Strickland of McDonough have launched campaigns for attorney general, as has Democratic state Rep. Tanya Miller of Atlanta. Republican state Rep. Tim Fleming of Covington is running for secretary of state. Three other state legislators are making bids for Congress; state rules do not force officials to stop fundraising when seeking federal office, a distinction that has allowed some to remain in their legislative posts while running for the U.S. House.
In 2022, most legislators who ran for statewide office did not resign their seats. Esteves’ departure highlights how differences in fundraising rules and the timing of the legislative calendar are shaping candidate behavior ahead of the 2026 primaries, and it sets up a short campaign for the special election to fill his vacated District 35 seat.
Gov. Kemp has not announced a date for the special election. The outcome will determine who represents portions of Fulton and Cobb counties for the remainder of the current term and could affect the balance of power and leadership dynamics in the state Senate as more members consider statewide runs.