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Photo of Esther Panitch

Esther Panitch

DEMOCRAT

Esther Panitch is running for Georgia State Representative, District 51, Democratic Primary.

Personal background

Esther Panitch has a law degree. She and her husband, Roger, have three children together.

Professional background

Esther is an attorney. She has been practicing law since 1995. She started her career as a domestic violence court coordinator in Miami, helping survivors navigate the legal system. She then became an assistant public defender, representing people who could not afford an attorney. After moving to Georgia in 2004, she continued to work as a public defender, first at the Fulton County Conflict Defender's Office, and then in her own private practice, helping families with divorce, custody battles, and protective orders.

Political background

Esther is currently a state representative for Georgia's House District 51. She was first elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2022 and 2024.

Economy

Supports incentivizing affordable housing through zoning and tax credits and requiring developers in state opportunity zones to provide affordable housing.

Supports incentivizing affordable housing through zoning and tax credits and requiring developers in opportunity zones to provide affordable housing.

Supports incentivizing affordable housing through zoning and tax credits and requiring developers in state opportunity zones to provide affordable housing.

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Energy & the Environment

Supports the Okefenokee Protection Act and HB 71 to prevent mining at the Chattahoochee River.

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Healthcare

Supports Medicaid expansion.

Supports abortion, saying "I supported the Reproductive Freedom Act because healthcare decisions belong to women and their doctors, not politicians."

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Voting & Elections

As a state representative, co-sponsored House Bill (HB) 30, which defines antisemitism in Georgia law.

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Public Safety

Supports gun control and due process, and as a state representative, sponsored House Bill (HB) 584 to create a legal process for temporarily removing firearms from individuals deemed dangerous.

Advocated for justice by helping pass HB 123 to protect intellectually disabled individuals from the death penalty and authored HB 460 to ensure incarcerated people have private access to attorneys.

Advocated for justice by helping pass HB 123 to protect intellectually disabled individuals from the death penalty.

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Education

Supports increased funding for schools, fair educator compensation, and hiring more support staff for students.

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