Bart Williams (politician)

Bart Williams (born October 26, 1966) is an American politician, serving in the Mississippi State Senate from the 15th district since 2020.

Bart Williams
Member of the Mississippi Senate from the 15th district
Assumed office
October 28, 2020
Preceded byGary Jackson
Personal details
Born
Bart Williams

(1966-10-26) October 26, 1966
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Children2
Alma materMississippi State University
OccupationBusinessman, politician

Early life and education

Williams was born in Memphis, Tennessee and attended Harding Academy.[1] He graduated from Mississippi State University.[1]

Career

Initially an engineer by profession, he later delved into the security industry part time in 1993, founding a business Security Solutions and Communications, Inc.[2] He began working fulltime in 1998.[2] In 2009, Williams was elected secretary of the Mississippi Alarm Association, which he states, "started the path that brought me to running for Senate."[2]

After former, longtime State Senator Gary Jackson retired due to health concerns, Williams ran for election to fill the seat, where he had to compete against four other main candidates.[3] His campaign emphasized "proper funding for our schools", defending "our second amendment rights", and economic growth for small communities.[3] In the general election, he received 33.6% of the vote, while the other three main candidates received between 13.9% and 27.9%.[4] The race went to a special election, where Williams received 53.6% of the vote over contender Joyce Yates, who got 46.4% of the vote.[5] Williams assumed office on October 28, 2020 and is a Republican.

In the Senate, for the 2021 legislative session, Williams was assigned the Vice-Chair for the Technology committee and is a member of the following committees: Appropriations, Constitution, County Affairs, Drug Policy, Investigate State Offices, Labor, and Universities and Colleges.[6]

Personal life

Williams is married with two children and is of Methodist faith.[1] He is an active member of the Rotary Club and is an Ambassador for the Starkville Partnership.[1]

References
  1. "Bart Williams". billstatus.ls.state.ms.us. Archived from the original on 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  2. "Bart Williams takes Mississippi State Senate". ESA. 2020-11-04. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  3. Bedillion, Caleb (2020-08-16). "Four candidates in state Senate special election". Daily Journal. Archived from the original on 2020-08-17. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  4. Vrbin, Tess; Smith, Slim (2020-09-23). "Williams, Yates earn spots in runoff for state Senate seat". The Commercial Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2020-09-24. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  5. Yu, Yue; Vrbin, Tess (2020-10-14). "Wright wins House District 37 seat by large margin; Williams wins District 15 Senate runoff". The Commercial Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2020-10-16. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  6. "Senate Committees". Mississippi Legislature. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
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