Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Even on the eve of an impending snowstorm, hopeful Georgians still gathered in fellowship to make sure they showed support for the man they’d like to become governor.
Supporters packed Wild Heaven Beer Thursday night for an election-year kickoff rally for former Democratic state Sen. Jason Esteves, as the 2026 race for governor begins to take shape. The event brought together students, longtime Democratic activists, educators, and first-time volunteers, many undeterred by weather forecasts calling for snow and freezing temperatures across parts of Georgia.
The rally marked Esteves’ first major campaign event of the year, in an effort to position himself as a unifying candidate focused on issues such as education, health care, and economic opportunity. Attendees described the gathering as both celebratory and urgent, reflecting the stakes many Democrats see in Georgia after more than two decades of Republican control of the governor’s office.
“I think about the Georgia I’m about to inherit,” said Kennedy Washington, a junior at Spelman College who spoke to the attending crowd during the rally. “Will I be able to afford to live here? Will my family have access to health care? Will the jobs that are being promised actually exist?” she said, adding that those questions drove her to support Esteves.
During the night, Esteves leaned heavily into policy proposals that have become central to his campaign. He outlined plans for universal child care, expanded early learning, full funding for public schools, and new pathways to employment through apprenticeships and technical colleges. He also proposed creating a need-based college scholarship program, noting Georgia is one of only two states without one, and a low-interest loan fund aimed at helping small businesses and entrepreneurs access capital.
“This is a vision for the future of this state that gives people something to vote for, not just something to vote against,” Esteves said. “Georgia has the talent and the resources for all of us to have more.”
Before Esteves took to the rally stage, the former Senator described himself as an “education governor” who understands both where Georgia has been and where it needs to go. He said his administration would focus on what he called three core priorities: health, wealth, and opportunity.
“Georgians are working harder than they ever have and barely getting by,” he said. “As governor, I’m going to make sure people have the health care they need, the ability to keep more money in their pockets, and that our children and grandchildren have more opportunity than we had.”
Supporters in attendance said Esteves’ emphasis on education resonated deeply. Melody Bray, a real estate agent who is volunteering for his campaign, said his track record with Atlanta Public Schools stood out to her.
“He helped APS recover from the cheating scandal, raised teacher pay, and increased graduation rates,” Bray said. “That showed me who he is isn’t just campaign talk. It’s who he is when no one’s watching.”
Paul Grant, a political science professor at Georgia Gwinnett College, said he believes Esteves is well-positioned to compete statewide, particularly with younger voters.
“He has the energy, the résumé, and the appeal to bring new people into the electorate,” Grant said. “After years of Republican leadership, it feels like the moment for something different.”
Attendees included state Sens. Kim Jackson, Harold Jones, and Rashaun Kemp, along with state Rep. Phil Olaleye.
As the rally concluded, Esteves urged supporters to turn enthusiasm into action, reminding them that vision alone would not win the election.
“Faith without works is dead,” he told the crowd. “So, Georgia, my question to you is: are you ready to do the work?”