Ballotpedia: Ester Panitch

Esther resides in Sandy Springs with her husband and three children. Panitch earned a bachelor's degree and a juris doctor from the University of Miami.

Esther began her career as a public defender in Miami and Fulton County before moving into private practice, where she has assisted victims of domestic violence and Boy Scout abuse. 

Esther Panitch was elected as the State Representative of State House District 51 in 2022 and has served one term in this position.

Candidate website

Said, "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."

The candidate's website says, "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."

Believes "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."

- Said, "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."
- Believes "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."

Economy

Said, "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."

The candidate's website says, "Ensure dams such as Morgan Falls receive adequate maintenance"

Wants to "Ensure dams such as Morgan Falls receive adequate maintenance"

- Said, "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."
- Wants to "Ensure dams such as Morgan Falls receive adequate maintenance"

Energy & the Environment

The candidate's website says, "Fight back against any attempt to interfere with a woman’s right to choose"

The candidate's website says, "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."

The candidate's website says, "Our current healthcare system is overly complicated, places an excessive burden on small business owners, and leaves thousands of Georgians uninsured or underinsured."

Believes "Our current healthcare system is overly complicated, places an excessive burden on small business owners, and leaves thousands of Georgians uninsured or underinsured."

The candidate's website says, "Expand Medicaid coverage to cover an additional 600,000 Georgians living without healthcare coverage"

Wants to expand Medicaid to cover an additional 600,000 Georgians living without healthcare coverage.

- Believes "Our current healthcare system is overly complicated, places an excessive burden on small business owners, and leaves thousands of Georgians uninsured or underinsured."
- Wants to expand Medicaid to cover an additional 600,000 Georgians living without healthcare coverage.
- Supports abortion.

Healthcare

The candidate's website says, "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."

The candidate's website says, "Every American has the right to vote. Let’s make Election Day a state holiday to make sure our voices are heard."

The candidate's website says, "Now Esther is running for re-election to continue bringing representation to her community in this wave of antisemitism and extremism."

Said, "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."

Said, "We must abolish gerrymandering, make it easier to vote early or by absentee ballot, and repeal Georgia’s discriminatory voter ID law."

- Said, "We must abolish gerrymandering, make it easier to vote early or by absentee ballot, and repeal Georgia’s discriminatory voter ID law."

Voting & Elections

Twitter

The candidate's website says, "Esther has spent her life defending those who lack strong voices, both as a public defender and a State Representative."

Said, "As a criminal defense attorney, I know that mass incarceration is not a solution to combat crime."

Said, "I will continue to work on building a more collaborative relationship between our police and our communities... instead of fear. I have plans to introduce a bill that requires transcripts in grand juries."

Said, "Georgia has the 8th highest incarceration rate in the country... Additionally, overly militarized police patrol neighborhoods with a majority of Black and Brown neighbors..."

Said, "Georgia has the 8th highest incarceration rate in the country... Additionally, overly militarized police patrol neighborhoods with a majority of Black and Brown neighbors...as a criminal defense attorney, I know that mass incarceration is not a solution to combat crime."

The candidate's website says, "Promoting restorative justice and rehabilitation programs for non-violent offenders"

Believes in "Promoting restorative justice and rehabilitation programs for non-violent offenders"

The candidate's website says, "Eliminating mandatory minimum sentencing"

Wants to eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing.

Appointed by the House Speaker to serve on the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust and "has been...pushing for legislation to define antisemitism and protect the Jewish community from discrimination."

Supports Israel and said "Atlantans must speak out for the unconditional release of Israeli hostages."

- Said, "I will continue to work on building a more collaborative relationship between our police and our communities... instead of fear. I have plans to introduce a bill that requires transcripts in grand juries."
- Said, "Georgia has the 8th highest incarceration rate in the country... Additionally, overly militarized police patrol neighborhoods with a majority of Black and Brown neighbors...as a criminal defense attorney, I know that mass incarceration is not a solution to combat crime."
- Believes in "Promoting restorative justice and rehabilitation programs for non-violent offenders"
- Wants to eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing.
- Appointed by the House Speaker to serve on the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust and "has been...pushing for legislation to define antisemitism and protect the Jewish community from discrimination."
- Supports Israel and said "Atlantans must speak out for the unconditional release of Israeli hostages."

Public Safety

Facebook

Said, "I voted in favor of HB340 which provided additional grant funds to public schools and required planning periods for k-12 teachers."

Said, "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."

Said, "I will continue work to see schools properly funded, educators properly compensated, and sufficient support personnel hired."

The candidate's website says, "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 ..."

Believes "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 ..."

Said, "Educators need to be allowed to focus on teaching fact-based curriculums without their classrooms being turned into political battlefields."

- Said, "I voted in favor of HB340 which provided additional grant funds to public schools and required planning periods for k-12 teachers."
- Said, "I will continue work to see schools properly funded, educators properly compensated, and sufficient support personnel hired."
- Believes "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 ..."
- Said, "Educators need to be allowed to focus on teaching fact-based curriculums without their classrooms being turned into political battlefields."
- Supports transgender youth.

Education

Instagram

LinkedIn

Esther Panitch

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Georgia State House of Representatives.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. All bills dealing with the state budget originate in the Georgia House of Representatives.
- The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Georgia General Assembly.
- There are 180 members of the Georgia House of Representatives, each representing a single district.
- State Representatives are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $17,342. They only serve in the role part-time.