Ryan Williams (American politician)

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

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]

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

Biography

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

• 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]