From his beginnings, growing up in Camillus, his hard work and perseverance to acquire a high level education, and his experience as a prosecutor, John’s story is filled with examples of strong character, intelligence and dedication to the well being of our community. His life speaks for his character.
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Prior to serving Central New York in Congress, John Katko spent nearly twenty years as a federal prosecutor. He worked to keep our community safe as a prosecutor, and is working to keep our country safe in Congress.
Local Roots
John was born and raised here. He knows what Central New Yorkers need to get things moving in the right direction. Learn more about John and his Central New York roots.

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1962
John Katko is born in Syracuse to Mary Lou O’Connor and Andrew Katko. He is raised in the Fairmount section of Camillus, NY along with his five sisters and one brother.
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1980
John graduates from Bishop Ludden High School and attends Niagara University where he meets Robin Gibson of Wayland, NY. The two fall in love.
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1984
After graduating from Niagara, John and Robin return to Syracuse where Robin works as a pediatric nurse at Crouse Hospital while John attends SU College of Law.
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1962
John Katko is born in Syracuse to Mary Lou O’Connor and Andrew Katko. He is raised in the Fairmount section of Camillus, NY along with his five sisters and one brother.
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1980
John graduates from Bishop Ludden High School and attends Niagara University where he meets Robin Gibson of Wayland, NY. The two fall in love.
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1984
After graduating from Niagara, John and Robin return to Syracuse where Robin works as a pediatric nurse at Crouse Hospital while John attends SU College of Law.
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1987
John and Robin are married.
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1988
John is hired by a prestigious Washington law firm. Robin continues her nursing career in Washington.
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1991
John joins the Securities and Exchange Commission, investigating and prosecuting corporate fraud and insider trading.
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1994
Son Sean is born.
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1994 - 1998
On loan from the SEC, John begins his career as a federal DOJ prosecutor. As a DOJ senior attorney, John travels to El Paso, Texas and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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1998
John returns home to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Syracuse. Robin goes back to pediatric nursing, and the Katkos buy a home in Camillus.
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2000
John and Robin welcome sons Liam and Logan to the family. The Katkos are complete.
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2001
John prosecutes NY political corruption cases.
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2006
John becomes President of the Board of Directors of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Central New York.
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2007
As a longtime volunteer Camillus Youth Hockey coach, John and a friend team up to lead fundraising efforts to overhaul the Shove Park rink.
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2009
John becomes chief of the DOJ’s narcotics section for the Northern NY District.
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2014
After twenty years as a federal prosecutor, John retired to run for Congress and is overwhelmingly elected to serve the people of the 24th Congressional District of New York


Family
John and Robin reside in Camillus, New York with their three sons; Sean is an Air Force ROTC student at SUNY Geneseo. The Katkos are parishioners of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, and John has been involved in such community organizations as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Onondaga County Foster Parent program, and Camillus Youth Hockey Association, where he coached youth hockey for fifteen years. A lifelong sportsman, John remains an active hunter and fisherman today.