Sandra Williams

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Sandra Williams
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 11th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 2, 2007
Preceded by Annie L. Key
Personal details
Born (1968-10-24) October 24, 1968 (age 44)
Cleveland, Ohio
Political party Democratic
Residence Cleveland, Ohio
Alma mater Cleveland State University, Tiffin University
Profession Criminal Justice
Religion Christian

Sandra Williams is a Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives who has represented the 11th District since 2007.

Contents

Career [edit]

A native of Cleveland, Williams attended Cleveland State University and Tiffin University. Williams worked in the field of criminal justice for more than a decade. She worked in several different positions, including as a corrections officer, probation officer, parole officer and mediator. Williams also served as a member of the United States Army Reserve from 1987 to 1995.

Before being elected as a state representative, Williams worked within the Statehouse as a legislative aide.

Ohio House of Representatives [edit]

After Williams' former boss Annie L. Key decided not seek reelection, she ran for the safe Democratic seat and won decisively. She was reelected easily in 2008 and 2010.[1][2][3][4]

In 2009, Williams was elected as President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, and will serve in that capacity for the 129th General Assembly.[5] Speaker Armond Budish also named Williams as Chairman of the Economic Development Committee for the 128th General Assembly.[6] She also served as Vice Chairman of the Public Utilities Committee,[7] as well as a member of the Financial Institutions, Real Estate and Securities Committee and the Veterans Affairs Committee.

With the 129th General Assembly, with Williams now in the minority, she will serve as ranking member of the Economic and Small Business Development Committee, as well as a member of the Criminal Justice Committee, and the Public Utilities Committee.[8]

Williams won election to a final term in 2012 unopposed.

Initiatives and positions [edit]

Williams has been a vocal critic of Governor John Kasich's lack of diversity upon choosing his cabinent, stating, "I would hope that Kasich would understand that this state is very diverse.... African-Americans, as well as other minorities, make up a significant portion of the state's population and his cabinet, as well as his staff, should reflect that."[9] She also has stated that there is a "strong possibility" that Gov. Kasich and the GOP controlled legislature would curtail efforts to expand minority business contracting.[10][11][12]

A staunch opponent of collective bargaining reform brought forth in S.B. 5, Williams believes that Republicans could risk defeat if the continue with the bill.[13]

As chairperson of the Legislative Black Caucus, Williams was vocal about a controversial initiative that would require a photo ID to cast a ballot. Williams believes that doing so would "disenfranchise" minority voters from participating in an election. She has called it an intentional attack on the Democratic Party.[14]


Williams made news when citizens concerned about Governor Kasich's proposed budget tried to visit legislators' Columbus offices and were stopped by state troopers and a police dog. Williams, who had an appointment scheduling with the group, said the dog was unnecessary and intimidating.[15]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Fields, Reginald (2011-01-27). "Ohio Statehouse Democrats demand Gov. John Kasich embrace diversity, add minorities to his all-white cabinet". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-03-30. 
  2. ^ Blacks ask Senate to reject Kasich's all-white cabinet
  3. ^ Black lawmakers blast Kasich for lack of diverse Cabinet
  4. ^ Fields, Reginald (2011-01-13). "Ohio Gov. John Kasich's 20 Cabinet appointments so far lack diversity". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-03-30. 
  5. ^ "Ohio Legislative Black Caucus". Retrieved 2011-03-30. 
  6. ^ Rep Sandra Williams appointed chair
  7. ^ Guillen, Joe (2011-03-29). "Ohio's collective bargaining overhaul could see nearly a dozen changes before House committee vote on Tuesday". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-03-30. 
  8. ^ Siegel, Jim (2011-06-22). "Photo-ID rule removed from elections bill". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2011-06-24. 
  9. ^ Fields, Reginald (2011-01-13). "Ohio Gov. John Kasich's 20 Cabinet appointments so far lack diversity". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-03-30. 
  10. ^ Black lawmakers blast Kasich for lack of diverse Cabinet
  11. ^ Fields, Reginald (2011-01-27). "Ohio Statehouse Democrats demand Gov. John Kasich embrace diversity, add minorities to his all-white cabinet". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-03-30. 
  12. ^ Blacks ask Senate to reject Kasich's all-white cabinet
  13. ^ Guillen, Joe (2011-03-29). "Ohio's collective bargaining overhaul could see nearly a dozen changes before House committee vote on Tuesday". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-03-30. 
  14. ^ Siegel, Jim (2011-06-22). "Photo-ID rule removed from elections bill". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2011-06-24. 
  15. ^ Guillen, Joe (2011-04-21). "Citizens say police dog, state troopers intimidated them on visit to legislators' offices". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-04-22. 

External links [edit]

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