Josh Williams (politician)
Josh Williams | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 44th district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Andrea White |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 21, 1984 |
| Party | Republican |
| Children | 1 son |
| Education | University of Toledo (BS, JD) |
Josh Williams (born 1984)[1] is an American politician who is a Republican[2] member of the Ohio House of Representatives representing the 44th district. He was first elected November 8, 2022, and assumed office January 1, 2023.[3] He is the first Black Republican to be elected to the Ohio House in 50 years and the first Black Majority Whip in Ohio's History.[4]
Williams is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 election, seeking the Republican nomination for Ohio's 9th congressional district.
Biography
Williams dropped out of high school at the age of 18 in order to work to support his son. He later suffered a serious back injury after falling over thirty feet while working. This incident left him disabled for six years as he underwent numerous surgical procedures. After getting a GED, he started college at the age of 30, and five years later, he graduated from University of Toledo College of Law and became a practicing attorney and professor at Adrian College.[5]
Career
In July 2023, Williams was one of the lead sponsors of a bill that would ban drag performances from any venue where minors could be present.[6]
In December 2024, Williams was the lead sponsor of a bill that would make it a felony to plant a flag at Ohio Stadium in response to the flag planting incident at Ohio State after a loss to rival Michigan on November 30, 2024.[7]
In January 2025, Williams was sworn in and serves as a whip[8] for Ohio's 136th General Assembly.
References
- ^ "Former union leader Dave Blyth takes on state Rep. Josh Williams". The Blade.
- ^ "Representative Josh Williams - District 44". Ohio House of Representatives. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
- ^ "Josh Williams". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
- ^ Williams, Josh. "Opinion | Why the GOP Is Winning Over Minorities". WSJ.
- ^ "Josh Williams Biography". Ohio House of Representatives. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
- ^ "Ohio Republicans Seek to Criminalize Drag Performers". The Advocate. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ Williams, Josh (2024). "A BILL - To enact section 2927.18 of the Revised Code to prohibit planting a flagpole and flag in the center of the Ohio Stadium football field on the day of a college football game and to name this act the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act".
- ^ "Josh William's Profile". Gongwer. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
