Wayne W. Williams

Wayne Williams
Secretary of State of Colorado
Assumed office
January 13, 2015
Governor John Hickenlooper
Preceded by Scott Gessler
Personal details
Born 1963
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Holly
Children 4
Alma mater Brigham Young University
University of Virginia
Religion The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Wayne W. Williams is an American attorney and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he is the Secretary of State of Colorado.

Early life

Williams grew up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.[1] His father was the facilities manager of the National Zoo's Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, where Williams was raised.[2]

In high school, Williams organized for local Republican Party candidates. He also served as a delegate at the Virginia Republican Party convention.[1] He attended Brigham Young University (BYU) on the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, and graduated in 1985 with a bachelor's degree in political science.[3] He graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1989.[1]

Career

Williams began practicing employment law and labor law in the Salt Lake City office of Holme Roberts & Owen. He was offered a job with Sherman & Howard in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which he accepted in 1992.[1][2]

Bob Isaac, the mayor of Colorado Springs, appointed Williams to the city's Housing Authority board.[1] Williams served for eight years as a El Paso County Commissioner. In 2010, Williams was elected the El Paso County Clerk & Recorder.[4]

In 2014, Scott Gessler, the Secretary of State of Colorado, announced his candidacy for Governor of Colorado in the Colorado gubernatorial election, 2014.[5] Williams ran unopposed for the Republican Party nomination for Secretary of State.[2] He defeated Democratic Party nominee Joe Neguse in the general election, 47.5% to 44.9%.[4][6]

Personal life

Williams and his wife, Holly, met at BYU. They have four children: Sean, Greg, Lindsey, and Wendy.[1]

Electoral history

Colorado Secretary of State Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wayne Williams 932,588 47.34
Democrat Joe Neguse 886,043 44.98
Constitution Amanda Campbell 77,790 3.95
Libertarian Dave Schambach 73,413 3.73

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jamie Swinnerton (July 7, 2014). "Wayne Williams on his run for Secretary of State and the Honey Badger's seat". Westword. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Peter Marcus (April 13, 2014). "Williams hopes to succeed fellow Republican Gessler for Secretary of State". The Colorado Statesman. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Williams, Wayne W.". byu.edu. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Wayne Williams appears to win Secretary of State race". denverpost.com. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  5. ↑ Rittiman, Brandon (September 17, 2013). "Amid flood disaster, Scott Gessler announces bid for Colorado governor". 9News Colorado. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  6. ↑ "GOP sweeps statewide seats for second election in a row". coloradostatesman.com. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
Political offices
Preceded by
Scott Gessler		 Secretary of State of Colorado
2015–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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