Senator Jason Esteves wants to be the next Democratic governor, and win Savannah's vote
'Democrats can win in Georgia,' said a lively Esteves to the room, which reciprocated with murmurs of approval. 'Democrats will win in Georgia.'
In a state led by sitting Republican Governor Brian Kemp that swung back to red in the 2024 presidential election, in a country with a Republican-majority House and Senate, it's an optimistic battle cry on behalf of the Democratic Party. And 41-year-old Esteves himself is a relatively fresh face among two potential other Democratic candidates, including two-time state Representative Derrick Jackson and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. But his strategy seems to be keeping his messaging simple, in a universal promise that may appeal to both sides of the aisle.
'We win by going across this state, not just in blue cities and blue counties, but red towns and red counties too,' he said. 'By talking to people about how we are going to keep and grow the money in their pocket.'
Big promises for small businesses
Esteves wears hats that may position him well to a variety of voters. He is a lawyer, business owner of an urgent care and two breakfast restaurants and a former middle school social science public school teacher. Still, his political stint has been a relatively recent endeavor as the state Democratic Party treasurer since 2019, and the District 35 Senator since 2023, representing Douglas and parts of Fulton County.
Still, Esteves was confident enough to throw in the first Democratic chip for governor in April. And it appears that the new kid can also throw some punches.
'We deserve to have a governor that is going to invest as much in our small businesses as our governor today invests in a company like Hyundai,' said Esteves.
Earlier in the day, Esteves spoke at a Black Business Expo panel in downtown Savannah. Whether the subject remained fresh on his mind, or he did intend to focus on it, small businesses owners were a cornerstone of his informal talk.
'He speaks the language,' said Brandon Campbell owner of B. Campbell, a custom suit company in Savannah since 2023. 'He doesn't just support mine, but any small business.'
'We don't get the back-end help or push the major companies get,' said Tajuan Brantley, owner of TB Fitness in Savannah for the past eight years. But listening to Esteves convinces Brantley that help will come.
All paths lead to a fight in Washington
Still, it's not just small business owners that Esteves hopes to win over. In response to a question about how to appeal to red counties, he boiled it down to three fairly lofty goals.
'When they meet me, and they see that I'm laser-focused on economic issues, laser focused on building a world-class healthcare system, a world-class education system, a lot of these folks have issues with that too,' he responded. 'We need a governor that's going to address the issues that have been plaguing Georgia for decades, long before Donald Trump was our president."
Still, this doesn't mean he doesn't have a bone to pick with the current administration, and one of those bones is worth $119 million. Included in his promise to grow Georgians' pockets is seeing through the millions of dollars in federal aid for afflicted residents after Hurricane Helene that have still not been distributed nearly a year later—a frustration he expressed in an interview with Atlanta Journal Constitution podcast "Politically Georgia" in May.
When asked how he might get back some of that federal money, 'we have to not be afraid to call out Washington, D.C. for what they're doing in Georgia,' Esteves said. The current "Republican governor is not saying a thing... I'm going to make sure that we have a governor that's going to fight the administration.'
What Esteves wants for Savannah
On Sunday, Aug. 3, Esteves will visit two local Savannah churches and attend another meet-and-greet at 4 p.m. at the The 5 Spot Sandfly at 7360 Skidaway Rd.
If elected governor, Esteves' plans to ensure Savannah's residents can continue to live where they work.
'The coast has experienced significant growth, and it has beared the burden of keeping up with that growth,' said Esteves. Alleviating that burden means providing enough jobs that keep kids out of trouble, building infrastructure that can withstand flooding and climate change impacts, and providing affordable housing amid rapid development, he added.
As for a nearby major developer's parking lot, he said he detests seeing license plates belonging nearly every other state but Georgia.
'We need a governor that's going to enforce the agreements that we have with Hyundai,' said Esteves, including those that promised hiring local contractors. 'Right now we have a governor that's putting business first instead of the people of the state.'
The Georgia gubernatorial race will take place Nov. 3, 2026. The primary election for Governor of Georgia will take place on May 19, 2026.
Jillian Magtoto covers climate change and the environment in coastal Georgia. You can reach her at jmagtoto@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Democratic gubernatorial vandidate Senator Jason Esteves visits Savannah
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