Lathan Watts

Lathan Watts serves as vice president of public affairs for Alliance Defending Freedom. In that role, he has overseen the development and execution of strategic communications plans for the expansion of ADF’s mission into state legal advocacy efforts, collaborating closely with other ADF teams. Watts represents ADF at external events, conferences, press conferences, and in the media.

Watts also develops communications content—including messaging documents, fact sheets, opinion editorials, and research materials—that translate ADF’s objectives, organizational vision, and issue advocacy into compelling stories and effective messages that inspire targeted audiences. He assists the senior vice presidents of communications, corporate engagement, and strategic initiatives in developing crisis communications processes and plans.

Prior to joining ADF, Watts spent nearly 20 years in various roles within the political, public policy, and non-profit sectors. He held campaign and official staff positions for U.S. Congressman Jeb Hensarling, U.S. Senator John Cornyn and Texas Governor Rick Perry. He also served four years as a city councilman in Lewisville, Texas. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi and his Bachelor of Arts in history from Harding University.