Brandon Williams (politician)
Brandon Williams | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 22nd district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | John Katko |
Personal details | |
Born | Dallas, Texas, U.S. | May 22, 1967
Political party | Republican |
Education | Baylor University Pepperdine University (BA) University of Pennsylvania (MBA) |
Website | House website |
Military service | |
Branch/service | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1991–1996 |
Brandon McDonald Williams (born May 22, 1967) is an American politician, farmer, and businessman serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 22nd congressional district since 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party.[1]
Early life and career
Williams was born in Dallas, Texas, to James McDonald "Don" Williams and Judy Williams. He was the second of five children. Don, a corporate lawyer, would serve as chairman of the Trammell Crow Company from 1994 to 2002.[2] George Seay was a childhood friend, whom he met in fifth grade at St. Mark's School of Texas. The two both attended Highland Park High School and played on the football team.[3]
Williams enrolled at
Williams joined the
In 2008, Williams and his wife purchased a 67 acres (27 ha) farm in
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2022
On January 14, 2022, incumbent U.S. Representative John Katko announced that he would not seek reelection in 2022, creating a vacancy. The contentious 2022 redistricting combined much of Katko's district with portions of the previous district 22, then represented by Claudia Tenney, whose district was divided into several new districts. Tenney successfully ran in the new 24th district. Williams' home in Sennett lay in the 24th, two miles outside of the border of the 22nd; he chose to run in the 22nd, in part, to avoid a primary against Tenney. There is no legal requirement that a representative live within the district he represents, although the fact that he did not became a point of criticism.[12]
Williams had begun thinking about running for office during the
Williams faced Democratic nominee Francis Conole, also a U.S. Navy veteran, in the general election. The race gained national attention. Politico and The New York Times both noted the race as particularly competitive.[10][18] National PACs ran ads, including more ads drawing attention to truffles, from the Democratic House Majority PAC this time.[9] Republican minority whip Steve Scalise visited Syracuse to fundraise for Williams,[19] and Stefanik gave Williams her endorsement,[20] while Katko continued to not endorse Williams.[21] Debates between Williams and Conole were contentious, with both accusing the other of misrepresenting themselves and their opponent. Conole said that Williams did not know Central New York and that his self-descriptions as a "political outsider" were bogus. Williams said that Conole's 20-year military career left him ill-equipped to handle issues of the economy and private business.[8] In the general election, Williams defeated Conole by a margin of 1.5%.[22]
2024
On August 22, 2023, Williams announced that he was running for a second term in 2024.
Due to the 2024 redistricting, Williams' home in Sennett is now part of the 22nd district.
Tenure
He was one of four Republican representatives from New York who on January 11, 2023 called for George Santos to resign in light of false biographical statements that Santos had made.[25] On December 1, he voted yes on the successful vote to expel Santos from the House.[26]
On September 12, 2023, when House speaker
An analysis by
Committee assignments
For the 118th Congress:[31]
- Committee on Education and the Workforce
- Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Political views
Williams voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential elections. He believes the 2020 presidential election raised questions about state election laws, although he also stated that President Joe Biden was elected legitimately.[35][32] He compared the January 6th hearings to the Moscow trials,[10] and denounced Trump's indictment by a Manhattan grand jury in March 2023.[36]
Williams declared himself the "pro-life candidate" on several occasions during the primary, in contrast to Wells who said the issue should be left to the states.[37][38] Later, he began to express support for exceptions for rape, incest, and the mother's life, and that abortion laws should be decided by the states instead of the federal government. Text on his campaign website was also rewritten to express a softer stance.[39]
Personal life
Williams met his wife, Stephanie, at a
In addition to Florida, Texas, and upstate New York, Williams also lived in Seattle, New York City, and Silicon Valley. In 2010 the Williams family built a home on their farm in Sennett and settled there permanently in 2019.[12][3]
Williams's father Don is politically active in Dallas, particularly in
References
- ^ "New York New Members 2023". The Hill. November 17, 2022. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ a b Schutze, Jim (July 2, 2020). "Don Williams Swears the Oligarchy Is Down With BLM". D Magazine. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Weiner, Mark (October 28, 2022). "Meet Brandon Williams: An outsider fights for Central NY seat in Congress". syracuse. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ Lonas, Lexi; Irwin, Lauren (December 5, 2023). "Lawmakers tear into college heads on antisemitism". The Hill. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "WILLIAMS, Brandon". US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ "Biography". Congressman Brandon Williams. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ Weiner, Mark (February 23, 2022). "GOP tech entrepreneur enters race for John Katko's seat in Congress". syracuse. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Weiner, Mark (October 26, 2022). "House candidates Francis Conole, Brandon Williams clash in fiery syracuse.com debate". syracuse. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Harding, Robert (October 31, 2022). "Truffle kerfuffle: Brandon Williams defends farm after attack ads in race for Congress". Auburn Citizen. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c d French, Marie J. (October 23, 2022). "How two Navy veterans are battling for one of the nation's biggest toss-up House seats". POLITICO. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Parsnow, Luke; Arpey, Jack (August 23, 2022). "Brandon Williams wins GOP primary in CNY House seat to succeed Katko". Spectrum Local News. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Harding, Robert (May 3, 2023). "Rep. Brandon Williams does not live in his CNY House district. Does it matter?". Auburn Citizen. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Weiner, Mark (November 2, 2022). "What issues separate Francis Conole, Brandon Williams in race for Central NY House seat". syracuse. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ Weiner, Mark (June 30, 2022). "Rep. Elise Stefanik makes endorsement in Syracuse's GOP primary for Congress". syracuse. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Harding, Robert (March 5, 2022). "NY Conservative Party endorses Williams, Auburn-area GOP candidate for Congress". Auburn Citizen. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Donovan, Andrew (November 3, 2022). "Watch Thursday Night: Candidates for 22nd Congress debate on NewsChannel 9". WSYR. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Weiner, Mark (August 24, 2022). "Brandon Williams upsets Steve Wells in GOP primary for Congress". syracuse. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Weiner, Mark (October 24, 2022). "Steve Scalise, Adam Schiff headed to Syracuse to support House candidates". syracuse. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Harding, Robert (September 1, 2022). "Elise Stefanik endorses Brandon Williams for Congress after supporting primary foe". Auburn Citizen. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Weiner, Mark (September 30, 2022). "Rep. John Katko won't endorse Republican nominee to succeed him in Congress". syracuse. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ "New York 22nd Congressional District Election Results". The New York Times. November 8, 2022. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Manore, Alexis (August 22, 2023). "Brandon Williams announces campaign for second term". Rome Sentinel. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ Manore, Alexis (February 22, 2024). "Speaker of the House Mike Johnson supports Brandon Williams' campaign at exclusive fundraiser". Rome Sentinel. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ Perry, Kati; Blanco, Adrián (December 1, 2023). "How each House member voted on expelling George Santos from Congress". Washington Post. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ Weiner, Mark (September 12, 2023). "Rep. Brandon Williams backs GOP decision to open Biden impeachment inquiry". syracuse. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
- ^ Weiner, Mark (October 12, 2023). "Rep. Brandon Williams has 3rd highest staff turnover rate in House". syracuse. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ Weiner, Mark (December 1, 2023). "Rep. Brandon Williams threatens ex-staffer in holiday party confrontation (see video)". syracuse. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ Beavers, Olivia (December 8, 2023). "GOP lawmaker: Ousted aides targeted my daughter for OnlyFans account". Politico. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ Committees and Caucuses
- ^ from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ Manore, Alexis (August 17, 2022). "22nd Congressional District candidates vie for victory in Aug. 23 primary election". Rome Sentinel. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ Manore, Alexis (January 19, 2023). "Rep. Brandon Williams hosts open house at Utica office". Rome Sentinel. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ Weiner, Mark (July 14, 2022). "CNY race for Congress: Steve Wells ducks Trump talk while opponent embraces ex-prez". syracuse. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ Manore, Alexis Manore (March 31, 2023). "Williams joins fellow GOP members to defend Trump, denounce indictment". Rome Sentinel. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ Harding, Robert (August 3, 2022). "Wells, Williams quizzed about abortion, 2020 elections and more at Syracuse forum". Auburn Citizen. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ Reeher, Grant (August 13, 2022). "Brandon Williams on the Campbell Conversations". WRVO Public Media. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ "Editorial endorsement: Francis Conole in the 22nd Congressional District". syracuse. October 30, 2022. Archived from the original on November 11, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ "Who we are". The Foundation for Community Empowerment. March 1, 2019. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
External links
- Congressman Brandon Williams official U.S. House website
- Brandon Williams for Congress