Jason Esteves
Former APS Board Chair & Former Georgia State Senator — Now Running for Governor
Will He Quit On You?
The Record of Jason Esteves
Twice. Mid-term. On the children, the constituents, and the people who trusted him most.
↓ Read The Record ↓
Jason Esteves
Former APS Board Chair & Former Georgia State Senator — Now Running for Governor
Will He Quit On You?
of Atlanta 3rd–8th graders scored proficient or above in reading
on state tests — while Esteves was board chair.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 2021
Under His Watch
Bottom HalfAPS ranked in the bottom 50% of all Georgia school districts in math and reading proficiency — while Esteves chaired the board.
A Pattern of Abandonment
As APS Board Chair, Jason Esteves presided over a district where fewer than 4 in 10 children could read at grade level. Math scores were even worse — as low as 17% proficient at the high school level. The district ranked in the bottom half of Georgia school districts the entire time.
Academic FailureSuperintendent Meria Carstarphen — Georgia Superintendent of the Year — said Esteves told her personally that she had his support. Hours later, in a closed session, he voted to end her contract. She said she was "surprised" to learn he was a no vote after he told her otherwise.
"I was a little surprised to see that when they did the count… he was a no vote." — Superintendent Meria Carstarphen, WABE RadioBetrayal of Trust
After the board's decision, Carstarphen formally alleged that board members had created a "hostile work environment." The Georgia Federation of Teachers responded by calling for Esteves himself to resign as chair. Community leaders — including U.S. Rep. John Lewis and former Atlanta mayors — publicly pleaded for him to reverse course. He didn't.
Community BacklashEsteves won election to the State Senate and immediately resigned from the APS board — leaving his seat vacant before his term expired. A replacement had to be appointed by the board to serve out the remainder of his elected term.
Resignation #1Esteves resigned his State Senate seat on September 10, 2025 — becoming, as the AJC noted, "the first Georgia lawmaker this cycle to give up a post early in pursuit of higher office." His constituents lost their full representation. A special election had to be called to fill his seat.
Resignation #2Two elected positions. Two unfinished terms. A school district left struggling. A superintendent blindsided. Constituents left without representation. And now he's asking Georgia to hand him the highest office in the state.
Will He Quit on Georgia?The Superintendents He Left Behind
Superintendent #1 · 2019
Named Georgia Superintendent of the Year. Increased graduation rates 20 points. Led the district out of a cheating scandal. Former mayors, U.S. Congressman John Lewis, and dozens of community leaders begged the board to keep her. Esteves told her she had his support — then voted to end her contract behind closed doors.
"I was a little surprised to see that when they did the count and it was reported in the paper that he was a no vote." — Superintendent Meria Carstarphen · WABE Public Radio · September 2019
Superintendent #2 · 2023
Hired to lead during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, APS hit an 84% graduation rate — the highest in district history. The board voted not to renew her contract. Parents launched petitions calling the decision "nefarious." One parent said publicly: "Get rid of the board, not Herring." Esteves was gone by then — but the culture of instability he presided over remained.
"Despite her exemplary record, Dr. Herring is facing backlash from a group of individuals who prioritize profit over students' safety and well-being." — Parent Petition · 11Alive News · June 2023
Read The Headlines
"Only 37% of third through eighth graders scored at proficient or above levels in reading on state tests" — during Esteves' chairmanship.
Jason Esteves resigned his Georgia State Senate seat — "the first Georgia lawmaker this cycle to give up a post early in pursuit of higher office."
Carstarphen said Esteves told her she had his support — "just hours before the board made its decision not to renew her contract in a private session."
Carstarphen alleged board members created a "hostile work environment" — emails obtained by the AJC show mounting tension after Esteves led the non-renewal vote.
The Georgia Federation of Teachers called for Esteves to resign as board chair in the wake of the Carstarphen decision.
APS math proficiency: 25% — versus a 38% Georgia statewide average. Reading: 32% — versus a 40% statewide average.
"He Quit 2x in the middle of his terms. Will he quit on Georgians?"
— Community member, Stonecrest Georgia Issues & News
of APS kids reading at grade level under his chairmanship
of APS high schoolers proficient in math while he chaired the board
APS district ranking out of 222 Georgia school districts — bottom half
elected offices abandoned mid-term
Georgia Deserves Better
Two terms. Two resignations. A record of failure and abandonment. Georgia cannot afford another quitter in the Governor's office.
Will He Quit On You?