Courtney DeSouza (Mayor of Welaka, Florida, candidate 2025)

Courtney DeSouza

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Mayor of Welaka

Elections and appointments

Last election

March 4, 2025

Education

Graduate

Jacksonville University, 2021

Personal

Birthplace

Jacksonville, FL

Religion

Catholic

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Courtney DeSouza ran for election to the Mayor of Welaka in Florida. She was on the ballot in the general election on March 4, 2025.^[source]

DeSouza completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Courtney DeSouza provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on February 20, 2025:

• Birth date: November 8, 1985
• Birth place: Jacksonville, Florida
• Graduate: Jacksonville University, 2021
• Gender: Female
• Religion: Catholic
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: “Leadership Rooted in Service
• Campaign Facebook

Elections

General election

General election for Mayor of Welaka

Courtney DeSouza, Kimberly Dugger, Kevin D. Finch Sr., Brad Kay, and Pam Olson ran in the general election for Mayor of Welaka on March 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Courtney DeSouza (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Kimberly Dugger (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Kevin D. Finch Sr. (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Brad Kay (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Pam Olson (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for DeSouza in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Courtney DeSouza completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by DeSouza's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Courtney DeSouza, a dedicated community leader with experience in municipal finance, infrastructure planning, and public service. With a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and a strong background in budget management, grant acquisition, and disaster response, I am ready to lead Welaka with transparency and action.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Infrastructure & Smart Growth – Commitment to improving roads, utilities, and public spaces while ensuring responsible growth that benefits residents and supports local businesses.
• Financial Transparency & Accountability – Ensuring that tax dollars are spent wisely, promoting budget transparency, and securing funding for community improvements without unnecessary spending.
• Community Engagement & Public Safety – Maintaining an open-door policy, prioritizing clear communication with residents, and ensuring first responders have the resources they need to keep Welaka safe.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about infrastructure, financial transparency, responsible growth, and public safety. I support improving roads and utilities while ensuring smart, sustainable growth that benefits residents and businesses. I believe in fiscal responsibility, making sure tax dollars are spent wisely and transparently. Public safety is a top priority, and I will work to equip first responders and enhance disaster preparedness. I also value open communication and community engagement, ensuring residents have a voice in local government.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I possess strong leadership, financial expertise, and a commitment to community engagement, which I believe will make me a successful Mayor. My background in municipal finance, infrastructure planning, and disaster response has equipped me with the skills to manage budgets responsibly, secure funding, and improve public services efficiently. I am transparent, accessible, and solutions-driven, ensuring that residents’ voices are heard and their concerns are addressed. My proven ability to lead, collaborate, and take action will help move Welaka forward while preserving its small-town charm.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

my first job was at McDonald’s and I worked there for about a year.

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

To me, being a Mayor means being a dedicated servant leader who listens, takes action, and works to improve the lives of all residents. A Mayor must be accessible, transparent, and accountable, ensuring that the government serves the people efficiently and fairly. Leadership means making informed decisions, advocating for the community, and addressing challenges head-on—whether it’s improving infrastructure, managing the town’s finances, or ensuring public safety. Most importantly, a Mayor must bring people together, foster collaboration, and create a vision for a stronger, more connected community.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Mayor of Welaka

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