Jason Carter, a former Georgia state senator and the grandson of the late President Jimmy Carter, is backing former state Sen. Jason Esteves in the Democratic primary for Georgia governor – a key endorsement for Esteves as he vies for the Democratic nod amid a crowded field.

“I’m proud to endorse Jason Esteves to be our next governor — the strongest candidate to meet this moment and build the coalition Democrats need to win next year,” Carter, who was the Democrats’ gubernatorial nominee in 2014, said in a statement issued through the Esteves campaign.

“He’s the new generation of leadership that Georgia needs, and he still has a long record of fighting for our families,” he added. “I’ve known Jason for many years: I know his family, I know he has heart and wisdom, and I know he understands being a business owner and a public school parent.”

Esteves, in a separate statement, called it “an honor” to have the backing of a prominent Georgia Democrat, adding that “Jason and his family’s legacy of public service is an inspiration to me and countless Georgians across our state.”

Carter announced earlier this year that he would not be running for governor amid much speculation, telling The Associated Press, “I can’t imagine making a decision to run because it’s the wrong time for my family” as his wife battles with glioblastoma, a brain cancer.

Carter had previously told The Associated Press he didn’t plan to endorse anyone, though he hinted that he was supportive of Esteves.

“I’m very excited about Jason (Esteves),” Carter told The Associated Press at the time. 

Esteves is among seven candidates running in the Democratic contest to succeed term-limited Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R). Former pastor Olu Brown, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, state Rep. Ruwa Romman and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond are also running.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R), Attorney General Chris Carr (R) and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) are seen as the three most serious challengers for the GOP nod. 

The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Kemp’s seat as a “toss up.”

With only three weeks left in the regular season, the GPB Rankings have reached a point of stability. The top teams remain unchanged and there are only a few newcomers in the top 10. It sets up an interesting stretch run to determine the top seeds when the state playoffs begin in November.

“This stretch run is going to be interesting,” said GPB’s Jon Nelson. “You’re going to see some region shakeups and some surprises before it’s all over.”

One such change occurred last week on GPB’s Football Fridays in Georgia, where Gainesville defeated two-time defending state champion Milton 28-16. The win jumped Gainesville up to No. 4 in Class 5A and dropped Milton to No. 6.

Another big showdown came in Class 2A, where No. 1 Carver-Columbus defeated previously unbeaten Sumter County 8-7. Sumter dropped two notches to No. 7.

In Class A Division 1, Fitzgerald knocked off Thomasville 24-21 and entered the rankings at No. 10. Thomasville fell three spots to No. 8. In one of the most surprising games of the week, Oglethorpe County beat No. 5 Rabun County 28-19 and knocked the Wildcats out of the rankings.

The No. 1 teams all remained the same: Grayson in 6A, Thomas County Central in 5A, North Oconee in 4A, Sandy Creek in 3A, Carver in 2A, Worth County in Class A Div. 1, Lincoln County in Class A Div. 2 and Hebron Christian in Private.

Class 6A

1. Grayson
2. Buford
3. Carrollton
4. North Gwinnett
5. McEachern
6. Lowndes
7. Douglas County
8. Colquitt County
9. Valdosta
10. Hillgrove

Also receiving consideration: West Forsyth, Mill Creek, Harrison

Class 5A

1. Thomas County Central
2. Hughes
3. Gainesville
4. Houston County
5. Roswell
6. Milton
7. Rome
8. Lee County
9. Northgate
10. Sequoyah

Also receiving consideration: Woodward Academy, Lovejoy, New Manchester, River Ridge, Statesboro

Class 4A

1. North Oconee
2. Cartersville
3. Creekside
4. Central Carroll
5. Marist
6. Benedictine
7. Ware County
8. Cambridge
9. Kell
10. Blessed Trinity

Also receiving consideration: Southwest DeKalb, Lithonia, Jones County, Locust Grove

Class 3A

1. Sandy Creek
2. Peach County
3. North Hall
4. Calhoun
5. LaGrange
6. Troup County
7. Jefferson
8. Jenkins
9. West Laurens
10. North Clayton

Also receiving consideration: Oconee County, Liberty County, Westside-Augusta, Harlem, Stephenson, Pickens

Class 2A

1. Carver-Columbus
2. Pierce County
3. Morgan County
4. Carver-Atlanta
5. Callaway
6. Rockmart
7. Sumter County
8. North Murray
9. Hapeville Charter
10. (tie) Frankin County, Thomson, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe

Also receiving consideration: Columbia

Class A-Division 1

1. Worth County
2. Toombs County
3. Heard County
4. Bleckley County
5. Swainsboro
6. Lamar
7. Northeast
8. Thomasville
9. Dodge County
10. Fitzgerald

Also receiving consideration: Jeff Davis, Jasper County, Elbert County

Class A-Division II

1. Lincoln County
2. Clinch County
3. Johnson County
4. Bowdon
5. Screven County
6. Early County
7. Treutlen
8. Wheeler County
9. ECI
10. Wilcox County

Also receiving consideration: Seminole County, Taylor County, Atkinson County

Class 3-1A Private

1. Hebron Christian
2. Fellowship Christian
3. Calvary Day
4. Athens Academy
5. Prince Avenue Christian
6. Savannah Christian
7. Greater Atlanta Christian
8. Aquinas
9. Holy Innocents’
10. Wesleyan

Also receiving consideration: Lovett, Landmark Christian, Whitefield Academy