She’s Been Walking the Walk.
Now She’s Running.
A fourth-generation Jacksonville native, beach mom, public school parent, community organizer, and neighbor who has spent years building relationships, listening to families, and standing up for Jacksonville.
A Jacksonville Story
Katie Hathaway has called Jacksonville Beach home for years. She and her husband David are raising two sons here — one currently at Fletcher High School in the AICE program, balancing academics, lacrosse, and everything that comes with being a teenager in Duval County. This is not an abstract place to her. It is home.
That's why she started paying attention to what was happening in Jacksonville's public schools, in its neighborhoods, and in the institutions that are supposed to serve families like hers. And the more she paid attention, the more she realized that showing up wasn't optional — it was necessary.
From the Community to the Capitol
Katie founded the Jacksonville Beach chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and served as the Florida chapter membership lead. She fought for — and helped win — the first safe gun storage resolution passed by a Florida school board, right here in Duval County. She has testified at the state capitol, spoken at vigils, organized walks, and distributed gun locks in the neighborhoods that need them most.
At the same time, she became a watchdog for Duval County's public schools. Through her work with Public School Defenders, she pushed back on book bans, challenged conservative school board training funded with public dollars, and advocated for the kind of transparent, inclusive public education system that every Jacksonville child deserves.
Why City Council, Why Now
The Jacksonville City Council makes decisions that affect every family in Duval County — from the budget that funds our schools and fire stations, to the land use decisions that shape our neighborhoods, to the policies that determine whether our community is safe, inclusive, and livable.
Katie has spent years building the relationships, the policy knowledge, and the community trust to serve on that council. She is endorsed by Mayor Donna Deegan, and she is running because the residents of Jacksonville deserve someone who has been paying attention — not someone who discovered their city on a campaign trail.
Jacksonville Beach, FL
Katie and her husband David are raising two sons in Jacksonville Beach. Their eldest attends Fletcher High School in the AICE program and is active in lacrosse and academics.
Moms Demand Action
Founder, Jacksonville Beach chapter. Florida chapter membership lead. Fought for and won Duval County's first safe gun storage school board resolution.
Public School Defenders
Active member fighting book bans, charter school overreach, and underfunding of Duval County's public school system.
Mayor Donna Deegan
Endorsed by Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan for Jacksonville City Council At-Large, 2027 cycle.
Katie has spent years building relationships, policy knowledge, and community trust to serve on City Council.
Katie Hathaway was born and raised in Jacksonville and is proudly raising her two teenage sons in the city she loves alongside her husband, David, a small business entrepreneur. A fourth-generation Jacksonville native, Katie is deeply rooted in this community and committed to building a stronger future for the families who call it home.
Raised by a public school teacher and a small business owner, Katie learned early on the value of hard work, service, and giving back. Those experiences shaped her belief in strong public schools, thriving local businesses, and communities where every family has the opportunity to succeed.
Katie has spent years showing up for Jacksonville – working alongside neighbors, local leaders, and community organizations to move our city forward. Whether supporting neighborhood initiatives, advocating for safer communities, or helping bring people together around shared priorities, she believes real progress starts with listening, collaboration, and action.
She has also spent more than a decade serving on local PTA executive boards, where she led fundraising efforts, built partnerships with local businesses, and supported school communities – earning recognition as Volunteer of the Year for her impact.
Driven by a deep commitment to opportunity, safety, and quality of life across Duval County, Katie’s advocacy has focused on issues that impact everyday families. She serves as a lead organizer with Public School Defenders and Families for Strong Public Schools, working alongside parents, educators, and community members to strengthen public education. Katie also served on the board of Community Presbyterian Preschool, helping grow the program to include two-year-olds and expand access to early childhood education for local families.
Katie has been a dedicated advocate for safer communities. As a former volunteer leader with the Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, she launched the Jacksonville Beaches chapter following the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and spent years building coalitions with local and statewide organizations. Her work has included advocating for commonsense policies at both the Florida Capitol and in Washington, D.C.
Her leadership has led to meaningful local impact, including helping advocate for the first-ever secure storage resolution at the school district level in Florida – an effort that strengthened safety in Duval and has helped guide other large districts in implementing similar measures. She has also continued her advocacy statewide through the Florida Action Alliance, a broad coalition of gun violence prevention organizations.
Katie earned a degree in Public Relations & Communications from Florida State University and began her career working at Bank of America’s corporate headquarters in Charlotte, NC and at the regional law firm Helms Mulliss & Wicker, PLLC (prior to its acquisition), before dedicating her work to advocacy, organizing, and community impact. She is also a proud member of the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2026.
Katie Has Been
Jacksonville's Voice.
Years of community work means years of being on the record. Here is some of what Jacksonville's media has said about Katie's advocacy.
Katie Hathaway featured on the front page of the Florida Times-Union for her leadership of the Moms Demand Action community memorial in Neptune Beach.
Covered Katie's leadership of Gun Violence Awareness Day unity walk and her advocacy for community-level gun violence prevention.
Katie called for alignment of Florida's safe storage and age-of-purchase laws following the FSU campus shooting, standing with survivors at the state capitol.
Katie raised concerns about the state's $15.6 million school material database, arguing the funds should instead support teachers, student resources, and critical needs in the classroom.
Katie featured on First Coast Connect discussing proposed Duval County school closures, joining parents and community advocates fighting to protect neighborhood schools and push for community-driven alternatives to consolidation.
Katie spoke against Florida’s “Schools of Hope” law, and raised concerns about lack of community input, financial strain and the impact on neighborhood schools, calling for repeal of the policy.
Katie Has Been
Jacksonville's Voice.
Years of community work means years of being on the record. Here is some of what Jacksonville's media has said about Katie's advocacy.
Katie Hathaway featured on the front page of the Florida Times-Union for her leadership of the Moms Demand Action community memorial in Neptune Beach.
Atlantic Coast High School's student paper interviews Katie on the wave of book removals from Duval County public school libraries.
Covered Katie's leadership of Gun Violence Awareness Day unity walk and her advocacy for community-level gun violence prevention.
Katie called for alignment of Florida's safe storage and age-of-purchase laws following the FSU campus shooting, standing with survivors at the state capitol.