GA-08 Democratic nominee?
23dThe Associated Press has called Georgia’s 8th Congressional District Democratic primary for Kelly Esti, confirming the market’s near-certain pricing and leaving Justin Lucas effectively out of the race.
97%
Democrat
Kelly Esti
GA-08 Democratic nominee?
$3.7K
MAY 20, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePolitical candidate
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyLiberal Democrat
GenderMale
LocationGeorgia
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BackgroundPolitical candidate
EducationWalden University — PhD, Public Policy & Policy Analysis (2018)
Notable personal detailsKelly Esti is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Georgia’s 8th Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle. Esti is a U.S. Navy veteran and has described serving as a nuclear-trained sailor. Esti has worked as a small-business co-owner and CFO and has served in municipal planning and community roles in the Hapeville/South Fulton area, including zoning and charter-school governance.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govkellyesti4congress.comtake-bac-congress.usajc.comlinkedin.comamericanelectionhq.comen.wikipedia.orgnews4jax.compredictionedge.comkhq.comresults.sos.ga.govcoinbase.comvotesafe.orgthecandidate.commaconbibb.usfr.wikipedia.orgdocquery.fec.govcrispcounty.comirwincounty-ga.govreddit.comnotivisiongeorgia.compolitics1.comroughdraftatlanta.comcordeledispatch.comfultoncountyga.govballotready.orgopencampaign.comarquidiamantina.orgwjcl.comdl1.en-us.nina.azcongress.govazcapitoltimes.comfayettecountyga.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgx.comhelp.x.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgaustinscott.house.govnewdemocratcoalition.house.govbudd.senate.govwarren.senate.govvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgziplook.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Healthcare
The candidate describes healthcare as a public good and says they will strengthen federal health programs, support funding for rural clinics and hospitals, and work with agencies to improve access to essential services across the district. The campaign emphasizes access, affordability, and reliability rather than proposing a single‑payer system.
Immigration & Border
Supports integrating immigrants and recognizes their economic contributions while opposing rhetoric that criminalizes immigrant workers; emphasizes fair treatment and equal access to services for diverse communities in the district.
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Climate & Energy
Supports expanding access to renewable energy (solar and wind) and modernizing utility systems, helping local governments access federal grants for energy upgrades, and ensuring rural communities can choose renewable options while focusing on affordability and reliability.
Latest Insights
GA-08 Democratic nominee?
23dKelly Esti's odds are now 97%, topping the previous high of 86%.
97%11%
GA-08 Democratic nominee?
23dThe GA-08 Democratic nominee market snapped sharply in Kelly Esti’s favor over the last hour, with Esti at 99.9% and Justin Lucas down to 0.1%. That kind of repricing can matter for traders because it effectively turns the contest into a near-lock unless new countervailing news emerges.
85%15%
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$17.7K
$13.2K
$8.8K
$4.4K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$17.7K
$2.7K
$24.0K
$1.6K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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