Esther has always advocated for those without voice or representation, first as a public defender in Miami and Fulton County and later in private practice, assisting victims of domestic violence and Boy Scout abuse. Her passion for public service traces back to childhood when she lobbied the Florida Legislature to add seat belts in school buses. More recently, she has been on the front lines of battling antisemitism in her community and the state, pushing for legislation to define antisemitism and protect the Jewish community from discrimination. She has been appointed by the House Speaker to serve on the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust. Esther originally decided to seek office when the only Jewish legislator decided to step down.
Esther is not only a dedicated legislator but also a loving mom of three, having raised her college-age kids alongside her husband Roger, in Sandy Springs. Miriam, Ben and Jacob were educated locally at The Epstein School, St. Francis in Milton, North Springs High School, UF, and UGA (Go DAWGS and Gators!). Her husband of 26 years is the former president of Congregation Bnai Torah and a small business owner. Esther is the third of four active generations of Hadassah members and associates.
Protecting our voting rights to strengthen democracy
Easy access to the ballot box is a cornerstone of our democracy. The recent spate of attacks on our voting rights has left many Georgia residents concerned that their votes might not count in the future.
In the General Assembly, I will continue to thwart any attempt to suppress this most essential constitutional right. We must abolish gerrymandering, make it easier to vote early or by absentee ballot, and repeal Georgia’s discriminatory voter ID law.
Every American has the right to vote. Let’s make Election Day a state holiday to make sure our voices are heard.
Ensuring everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare
Our current healthcare system is overly complicated, places an excessive burden on small business owners, and leaves thousands of Georgians uninsured or underinsured.
Georgia is the 2nd least insured state; while our life expectancies are well below the national average, our maternal mortality rate is the second highest in the nation.
I have cosponsored the Reproductive Freedom Act.
I will continue to work to:
Reforming our broken criminal justice system
A fair and impartial justice system is a mainstay of democracy. Georgia has the 8th highest incarceration rate in the country, outpacing states with similar rates of violent crime. Additionally, overly militarized police patrol neighborhoods with a majority of Black and Brown neighbors while lacking any real support from local community leaders and business owners. I want to create a freer Georgia.
As a criminal defense attorney, I know that mass incarceration is not a solution to combat crime.
I have co-sponsored HB584, the Georgia Red Flag Protective Order Act, and I support:
I will continue to work on building a more collaborative relationship between our police and our communities that is built on transparency, consent, and community involvement instead of fear. I have plans to introduce a bill that requires transcripts in grand juries.
Leading the nation in infrastructure
On our most recent infrastructure report card, Georgia received “D” grades for our transportation, wastewater management, and dam upkeep. We need to build a greener future.
I signed on to the Okefenokee Protection Act and signed on to HB71 to prevent mining at the Chattahoochee River.
I also plan to do the following:
Providing our kids a world-class education
Education is the surest route to upward economic mobility. So why are our schools underfunded and our teachers overworked? Instead of addressing real-world problems, the Republican Party would rather slash school funding while orchestrating witch hunts on the boogeyman of the week.
I voted in favor of HB340 which provided additional grant funds to public schools and required planning periods for k-12 teachers.
I will continue work to see schools properly funded, educators properly compensated, and sufficient support personnel hired. Educators need to be allowed to focus on teaching fact-based curriculums without their classrooms being turned into political battlefields.
Keeping housing affordable for all
Georgia has an affordable housing crisis. Exacerbated by the pandemic, low-interest rates, and rising inflation, the supply of affordable housing is not meeting the supply.
I will continue to work with municipal governments to incentivize affordability in new developments through zoning and tax credits and support requiring developers who take advantage of state opportunity zones to provide affordable units.
I plan to push the legislature to add gender identity and sexual orientation to our fair housing laws.