Ryan Williams (American politician)

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This article is about the Tennessee legislator. For other people of the same name, see Ryan Williams.

Ryan Williams
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
from the 42nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 11, 2011
Preceded byHenry Fincher
Personal details
Born (1973-06-01) June 1, 1973 (age 52)
Kingsport, Tennessee, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationCarson-Newman University (BS)

Ryan Williams[1] (born June 1,[2] 1974)[3] is an American politician and a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 42 since January 2011.[4] In 2016, he was elected by his colleagues to serve as the Republican Caucus Chairman.[5]

Biography

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Williams was born in Kingsport, Tennessee, and was a native of Blountville also with Sullivan County, Tennessee where he graduated from Sullivan Central High School.[6]

Williams earned his BS in biology from Carson–Newman College (now Carson–Newman University). While in attendance, he was a stand-out athlete on the University's Division II Men's Soccer team.

In 2023, Williams supported a resolution to expel three Democratic lawmakers from the legislature for violating decorum rules.[7]

In 2024, Williams and Cookeville state Senator Paul Bailey cosponsored a resolution allowing Tennessee localities to arm public school teachers.[8] The measure passed.[9]

Elections

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  • In 2016, Williams ran unopposed in the August 4, 2016 Republican Primary and won the November 7, 2016 General Election with 17,486 votes (74.50%) against Democratic nominee Amos Powers.[10]
  • In 2014, Williams was unopposed for the August 7, 2014 Republican Primary and won the November 4, 2014 General election with 10,054 votes (71.8%) against Democratic nominee Mike Walsh.[11]
  • In 2012, Williams was unopposed for the August 2, 2012 Republican Primary, winning with 4,772 votes,[12] and won the November 6, 2012 General election with 15,049 votes (71.4%) against Democratic nominee Thomas Willoughby.[13]
  • In 2010, Williams challenged District 42 incumbent Democratic Representative Henry Fincher. Williams ran in the August 5, 2010 Republican Primary, winning with 3,941 votes (71.0%),[14] and won the November 2, 2010 General election with 9,222 votes (55.3%) against Representative Fincher.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Ryan Williams' Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  2. ^ "Representatives - TN General Assembly". www.capitol.tn.gov. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  3. ^ Linda Bryant. "Rep. Ryan Williams of Cookeville Leads From the Heart". Tennessee Municipal League.
  4. ^ "Rep. Ryan Williams". Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee General Assembly. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  5. ^ "House Leadership - TN General Assembly". www.capitol.tn.gov. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  6. ^ https://eu.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/07/ryan-williams-fresh-face-gop-tennessee-house/95388874/ "Ryan Williams a fresh face for GOP in Tennessee House".
  7. ^ Andone, Dakin; Young, Ryan; Simonson, Amy; Almasy, Steve. "Tennessee's Republican-led House expels 2 Democratic lawmakers over gun reform protest, fails in bid to oust a third". CNN. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  8. ^ "Tennessee law that lets school districts arm teachers, staff has few takers - Chalkbeat". www.chalkbeat.org. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  9. ^ "Tennessee legislators pass bill to arm teachers in school". Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  10. ^ "Ryan Williams - Ballotpedia". Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  11. ^ "Ryan Williams - Ballotpedia". Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  12. ^ "State of Tennessee August 2, 2012 Republican Primary" (PDF). Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee Secretary of State. p. 161. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 13, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  13. ^ "State of Tennessee November 6, 2012 General Election" (PDF). Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee Secretary of State. p. 45. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 13, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  14. ^ "State of Tennessee August 5, 2010 Republican Primary" (PDF). Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee Secretary of State. p. 35. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 14, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  15. ^ "State of Tennessee November 2, 2010 State General" (PDF). Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee Secretary of State. p. 35. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 13, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
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