Statesboro District 2 candidate Kathleen Keehner focuses on data centers, youth programs

STATESBORO, Ga. (WTOC) - Statesboro residents will vote in just over three weeks to fill the city’s District 2 council seat, which has been vacant for nearly five months. The special election is a three-person race. Kathleen Keehner is one of the three candidates seeking the seat.

Background

Keehner became a homeowner in Statesboro last year when she bought a house to raise her newborn son. She said she is now looking to represent the city’s District 2.

“I have a lot of ideas for the future because my son is going to be living here for the foreseeable future,” Keehner said.

Data centers

Keehner said her motivation for running centers on data centers. In August, Statesboro City Council approved a zoning map amendment that would allow a data center to be built within city limits. Because District 2 was unrepresented, Mayor Jonathan McCollar broke a tie to push the approval despite resident protests.

Keehner said she began paying closer attention to local politics when talk of data centers began to increase in the state. She said if elected, she would vote against any data center application.

“This race, it’s deeper than just surface level who’s going to win for city council, yeah the city council is made up of five people who vote on decisions, but those decisions can shape the future,” Keehner said.

Budget priorities

City council members are tasked with approving the city’s annual budget. Keehner said if elected, she plans to devote more taxpayer dollars to creating programs and safe spaces for the city’s youth.

“Since we lost the boys and girls club in 2025, we haven’t had any major investments in young people’s programs. So, I would like to reallocate funds, I know that there was a brand new park that they spent over one million dollars on in Whitesville that is farther away from the west side,” Keehner said.

Qualifications

Keehner does not have experience serving as a public official. She said her qualifications come from being an active member of her community.

“Because I do talk to my constituents, I am out here in the streets, I think that qualifies me more than a leader that doesn’t care about the next person, you know,” Keehner said.

Keehner said voters should consider who has their best interest at heart.

“It’s important to vote for somebody who you know has your best interest at heart, I think that it is important to vote for somebody who doesn’t have deep ties and deep relationships with people who are already proving not to care about you or what you’re concerned with,” Keehner said.