The Cascading Problem Hiding Inside Jason Esteves’ Resignation

Any news site can tell you Jason Esteves just resigned his state senate seat to focus on running for Governor. You already knew that. You come to Peach Pundit for why the timing matters and why the GAGOP ought to sit up straight and pay attention.

Here’s the short version. Georgia law forces a quick special election when a General Assembly seat opens inside the 60-day window before November. That timing points squarely at the already-set November 4, 2025 statewide election day, which is when voters are also choosing Public Service Commissioners in those long-stalled PSC contests. One ballot, two headlines, and now a high-profile state senate race in a blue seat sharing the stage.

Why is the PSC on a weird calendar in the first place? Because years of litigation blew up the normal cycle when a federal court halted PSC elections in 2022. The Eleventh Circuit later changed course and as a result he Legislature fiddled with terms. After all that, the Secretary of State formally called specials for PSC Districts 2 and 3 on November 4, 2025, with a December 2 runoff if needed. Weird calendar, real consequences.

Now layer on the senate seat itself. Esteves’ district is the new SD-35, covering parts of Fulton and Cobb, and it heavily favors Democrats. In 2024 Democrats held it without real opposition. If you are the GAGOP, you do not want a sleepy PSC electorate while a safely blue district is cranking up turnout at the same time.

Need a fresh data point on enthusiasm? Look no further than the recent SD-21 special when Democrat Debra Shigley pulled roughly 40 percent in a North Metro district that is not exactly friendly terrain for Democrats. That is an over-performance for a special, and it screams about an enthusiasm gap that is not breaking the GOP’s way. Ignore it if you like but it will not ignore you back.

This is where I give the Republican Party a friendly shove. If the GAGOP spends the fall obsessing over BS like the SEB while Democrats are turning out voters for a marquee PSC date that also shares a ballot with a high-visibility senate special, do not act surprised when there is egg on the party’s face and a headline about losing statewide regulatory seats. Win elections or enjoy issuing statements about why you did not.

So, here is the homework; treat November 4 like a real test. Resource GOP PSC candidates so that they can actually to make a case to ratepayers that keeps the PSC under a conservative governing philosophy. Build a turnout program that does not wait for the last week. Stop confusing press releases with persuasion because if you want to govern, you have to win. The calendar just handed you a warning flare. Read it. Then act on it.