Panitch Seeking Third Term in Georgia House

As she seeks a third term representing Georgia House District 51, Democrat Esther Panitch remains the lone Jewish member of the General Assembly.

Her general election opponent is Republican Keith Gettmann, whom she defeated in 2024 with 58 percent of the vote.

Panitch advanced to the Nov. 3 ballot with a 56 percent primary win over Aaron Baker, in a race spiced by Baker’s affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America.

Gettmann advanced without primary opposition.

District 51 takes in north Fulton County, including parts of Roswell, Johns Creek, and Sandy Springs.

Republicans hold a 99 to 81 advantage in the Georgia House.

State House members represent an average of about 59,585 residents, based on 2020 Census data. Legislators receive a base salary of $25,312 and a $247 per day per diem during the 40-day legislative session.

Panitch, 55, is a family law and criminal defense attorney, a member of Congregation B’nai Torah, a third-generation member of Hadassah, and co-chair of the legislature’s Georgia-Israel Caucus.

Since being elected to the state House in 2022, she acquainted her colleagues with Judaism and issues of concern to the Jewish community through such efforts as annual legislative Shabbats at congregations statewide and the ‘Sine Die Seder’ earlier this year on the final day of the General Assembly session.

Panitch has received a degree of attention unusual for a state legislator, largely through her efforts at combatting antisemitism.

In 2023, she helped steer legislation that added to the state code a reference to the antisemitism definition adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

Panitch points to three achievements in the 2026 General Assembly session. Topping the list is the Family Justice Center Act, a bill that she authored, creating centers statewide to assist survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking.

She was a leading backer of another bill, signed into law, adding statewide civil rights coordinators to address discrimination and protect students, including from antisemitism, though that was not specified in the legislation.

Panitch also co-authored the Foreign Funding Transparency Act, which requires public schools and universities to disclose foreign funding. When she publicly questioned the level of Qatar’s funding in Georgia, Hamad AlMuftah, the deputy chief of mission at the Qatari embassy to the United States, posted Jan. 29 on X: “Again ur spreading disinformation and trying to carter frictions as peole like you always do  Facts matter” [sic]

Two days later, AlMuftah posted: “I want to clarify that I never intended to offend the Jewish community, and I have great respect for Jewish people . . . As I mentioned earlier, as an elected official and representative of the public, I urge you to be careful in how you interpret others’ posts. I also hold you in high regard, Rep. Panitch, and I appreciate our constructive dialogue.”

Panitch has called out both parties on issues related to antisemitism.

She rebuked Republican U.S. Senate nominee Mike Collins in a July 16 Facebook post: “Being pro-Israel is not a hall pass for antisemitism. It is not a shield you hide behind when the hatred is in your own family, on your own property, with your own name attached. Standing with Jews an ocean away means nothing if you won’t stand with the 150,000+ Jews who are your neighbors and constituents . . . Condemn it, Congressman. By name. Today. And to every Republican who’s endorsed him: this is your test, too.”

On Aug. 27, on X, she posted: “To everyone reading this who has told me to leave my own party over antisemitism: I have made these same demands inside my party, publicly, by name, at real cost. That’s the job. It’s harder when it’s your own side. Lecturing me about Democrats before you answer the call coming from inside your own house is hypocrisy.”

Gettmann, a 75-year-old native of Milledgeville, Ga., and a Georgia Tech graduate, spent a career in the housing and banking industry, with Fanne Mae, the Resolution Trust Corporation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. About this experience, his campaign website states: “He closed the books on institutions that spent money they didn’t have and committed fraud they should not have. He’d rather stop it now than clean it up later.”

Gettman’s campaign website states his support of legislation signed into law by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp that sets a floor of 3.99 percent for the state income tax. The income tax rate for 2026 is 4.99 percent. The law would require annual decrees of 0.125 percent, until reaching the designated floor.

On another tax issue, Gettman supports a cap on how fast homestead assessments may rise, set to take effect in 2027. The law would limit annual increases in property assessments to the rate of inflation and remove an opt-out clause for local governments.

Gettman sent the AJT this message to the Jewish community: “To all of my Judeo-Christian friends. I support the sovereignty of Israel and I believe that ANY platform that includes the DSA philosophies like the “big tent” Democrats is a clear and present danger to all of our communities, our State and our Nation. It is time to leave the Big Tent Democrats behind.”

On a controversial piece of legislation, Gettman posted on X on Aug. 15: “Soap gets rid of dirt. Elections get rid of bad policy. Esther Panitch voted NO on SB 1 — the Riley Gaines Act. Keith Gettmann believes women and girls deserve privacy, fairness, and common-sense protections — and District 51 deserves a representative who will vote that way. Let’s wash away the bad policy.”

The Riley Gaines Act — which Kemp signed into law in April 2025 — bars transgender women and girls from competing on female sports teams in public schools, private schools, and public colleges. The state House passed the measure along party lines, with most Democrats, including Panitch, voting against.