Preceded by Eric Johnson Alma mater University of Georgia Children 3 Education University of Georgia | Spouse(s) Stephanie Role Politician Preceded by Bill Stephens Name Tommie Williams Succeeded by Chip Rogers | |
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Profession Farmer, Businessman, legislator Residence Lyons, Georgia, United States | ||
Political party Georgia Republican Party | ||
Rep. Carter Recognizes Georgia State Senator Tommie Williams
Tommie Williams is an American politician from the state of Georgia. He is a member of the Republican Party and was first elected to the Georgia Senate in 1998. Williams represents the 19th district, which encompasses Appling, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Toombs, Wayne, Wheeler, and parts of Liberty and Tattnall Counties. He was selected as Senate Majority Leader in 2005, and was voted President Pro Tempore of the Senate in 2009.
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Biography
Tommie Williams began his career as an onion farmer in Toombs county, was a public school teacher, and is currently a tree farmer.
He received a bachelor's degree at the University of Georgia, and a master's degree in Education at Georgia Southern University.
Senate career
Williams was first elected to the State Senate in 1998, after winning a three-way primary. Beginning in 2006, he had had no opposition until his retirement in 2017.
In 2005, Williams was chosen as Senate Majority Leader. He served in that role until 2009, when he was voted President Pro Tempore, the second highest position in the Senate, behind Lieutenant Governor. He is also Chairman of the Administrative Affairs Committee from 2009-2013.
In August 2011, Senator Williams was asked by members of the press if he was interested in running against U.S.Congressman John Barrow, in whose district he resides. Williams indicated that it did interest him, however, he would still be running for re-election to his Senate seat.
Senator Williams endorsed Newt Gingrich for President in the 2012 Republican presidential primaries.
On June 4, 2012, Senator Williams sent an open letter to the Senate Republican Caucus and to members of the press in which he stated his intentions to forgo seeking re-election for the position of President Pro Tempore. His reasons included spending more time with his family, as inspired by the movie Courageous, and his belief that leadership positions should be rotated or term-limited.