Dr. Nancy Staats brings a lifetime of leadership and compassion to protecting all that makes Atlantic Beach special — for generations to come.
I was born and raised in Detroit as the fourth of five children. My father left school early to attend Ford Trade School and later served in the U.S. Army as an airplane mechanic. My mother worked as a telephone operator before raising our family. When I was twelve, my parents divorced and my mother remarried a police officer. I still remember watching him put on his bulletproof vest and head out the door, learning at an early age the sacrifices made by those who serve their communities.
I worked hard in school and earned undergraduate and medical degrees in Michigan before moving to Baltimore in 1990 to complete my residency in Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins. It was there that I met my husband Peter — the best thing that ever happened to me. We've been happily married since 1991.
Together we raised three children while balancing demanding careers and family life. Over the years, I moved from clinical practice into leadership positions, serving as Chief of Anesthesia and overseeing staffing, administration, and credentialing across multiple surgery centers. I also remained active in community and professional organizations and learned firsthand the importance of collaboration, accountability, and effective leadership. As a physician, facts and data have always driven my decision-making.
I retired from clinical practice in 2017, and Peter and I moved permanently to Atlantic Beach in 2018. We immediately recognized the rare jewel that is Atlantic Beach — it was love at first sight! Peter, who grew up in Honolulu, loved the surf culture and coastal lifestyle, while I was drawn to the beautiful tree canopy and welcoming community spirit.
Since moving here, I've continued to find ways to serve our community. I served as Board Chair of Connecting Thru Music, a non-profit started here in Atlantic Beach that brought music therapy to children with special needs. I joined Atlantic Beach Preservation to learn more about how to preserve this precious area, so unique among Florida coastal cities. I also volunteer weekly at Volunteers in Medicine, providing care to working uninsured residents in Duval County. Recently, I was honored to be appointed to a position on the Community Development Board of Atlantic Beach.
I believe our greatest strength is our community, and I am committed to working together to preserve the special character of Atlantic Beach and ensure this treasured place remains vibrant for future generations.
Four convictions guide how I will lead — and a clear-eyed look at the challenges and gifts of the place we call home.
We value our tree canopy, beaches and wetlands not only because they define us, but because their health and resiliency are essential to our own future. We need to strengthen our existing protections to ensure our city is strong and beautiful for generations to come.
AB needs to strengthen AB Elementary by every measure possible—it is a cornerstone of our community. We must protect it from future attempts to convert or close it.
AB needs transparent, fiscally-responsible leadership. We need to follow the facts and data, promote a positive work environment and respect experts and staff.
AB needs strong police, fire and public safety services. We need to plan now to ensure our systems can stand up to unprecedented fiscal challenges.
Atlantic Beach is a special place that deserves protection. It gives us beautiful sunrises, surfable waves, calm waters for paddleboarding, dolphin sightings, pristine beaches, walking and biking paths, parks, tree canopy, our iconic little pink elementary school, turtle hatchlings, and a strong sense of community.
But we also face real challenges: too many Atlantic Beach residents continue to experience flooding on a regular basis; as our property values have increased, we've seen intense development pressures, clear-cutting of lots, votes to allow properties to be split to increase profits, the loss of significant trees, efforts to sell our water resources (resolution 8A, the 4th attempt to pass) to outside developers, and a 2024 ordinance change (see Table 1 below) that decreased minimum lot widths significantly in 2 of our zones (Please see item 4A Commissioner reports).
These are decisions and actions that will fundamentally change the character of Atlantic Beach.
Because of the foresight and leadership shown by former mayors, Atlantic Beach has strong ordinances regarding building height, impervious lot coverage, on-site water storage, and tree preservation. Those protections matter. But rules only work when they are enforced fairly and consistently, and there must be a balance between growth and preservation. Right now, that balance feels out of alignment. We can do better.
My goal as Mayor is to make and keep Atlantic Beach strong: strong plans for storms, flooding, and fire protection; strong public safety policies; strong schools; strong environmental protections; and a strong sense of community. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: a safe, resilient, and thriving community.
Together, we can make and keep AB STRONG.
News from the trail, ways to stay informed, and how to make your voice heard.
Please note the deadline to register to vote is Monday, October 5. You may register, change your registration or address, or request a Vote By Mail ballot online at www.duvalelections.gov
Early Voting can be done at any location throughout the city (the closest location for us is the Beaches Library in Neptune Beach) from October 20–November 1. On Election Day you must vote in your precinct, found on your voter ID card.
Every conversation, every door, and every neighbor who gets involved makes a difference. Read on to find the way you'd like to help — big or small, it all matters.
There are many ways to get involved — some big and some small — but each is important and will make a difference in this election! Whether you knock on doors and drop literature, host a party, or display a yard sign, it is greatly appreciated and vital to our success.
Knock on doors in your own neighborhood. It's a great way to meet people (and get your steps in!) and is still the most effective way to motivate voters.
Whether it's a candidate meet & greet, a party, a book club, bible study or game night with pals, I would be delighted to join you! Please have your questions and concerns ready — I want to hear from all the citizens of AB!
Show your support to the whole neighborhood. Let us know you'd like a sign and we'll get one to you.
Yard Signs are Here! Please email me if you'd like one! Nancy@abstrong.org
Prefer email? Reach out anytime at nancy@abstrong.org.
Grassroots campaigns are powered by neighbors who believe in something — not by big money.
If you've never given to a local campaign before, here's the honest truth: it makes an enormous difference. Every contribution goes directly toward yard signs, printed literature, and the day-to-day work of reaching voters across Atlantic Beach. There's no such thing as a gift that's "too small" — $10, $50, or $500 all add up to a stronger, more visible campaign.
I am deeply grateful for support at every level. Whether you give once or chip in what you can, you're helping protect the community we all love — and that means the world.
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