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Ryan Williams
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Ryan Williams is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 42 1. He assumed office on January 11, 2011, succeeding Henry Fincher 4. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 1.
Williams is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 42 in the upcoming 2026 cycle 1. He is listed as a Republican candidate on the ballot for the state house race 5. The Republican primary election for this seat is scheduled to take place on August 6, 2026 1.
Background and education
Ryan Williams was born in Kingsport, Tennessee, on June 1, 1973 4. He identifies as Baptist and is married with two children 23. Williams earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Carson-Newman College, where he received a soccer scholarship 123.
Career
Ryan Williams earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Carson-Newman College, where he played soccer on a scholarship 1. His professional background includes work in construction and business development 1. He self-describes his occupation as being in construction and business development 2.
Williams has been involved with the Cookeville/Putnam County Chamber of Commerce and the After Dark Series, and is an alumnus of Carson-Newman soccer 3.
Office history
Ryan Williams served on the City Council of Cookeville and as a Planner Commissioner for the city prior to his election to the state legislature 23. He was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2010, assuming office on November 2, 2010, representing District 42 1. His tenure began with the 107th General Assembly, where he served as a member of the House Education Committee and the House Health & Human Resources Committee 3.
Williams continued to represent District 42 during the 108th General Assembly. During this term, he held the position of Vice-Chair of the House Health Committee and remained a member of the House Education Committee 2. He has been re-elected for subsequent terms, with his current term scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 1. Williams is currently running for re-election in the Republican primary on August 6, 2026 1.
Legislative record and accomplishments
During his tenure in the Tennessee House of Representatives, Ryan Williams has served on several key committees, including the House Education Committee and the House Health & Human Resources Committee 3. In subsequent sessions, he continued his service on the House Education Committee while also serving as Vice-Chair of the House Health Committee 2. His committee work extended to the House Health Subcommittee during his time in the 108th General Assembly 2.
Williams has held leadership roles within the chamber, having been elected by his colleagues to serve as the Republican Whip in 2016 4. He assumed office in January 2011, succeeding Henry Fincher in District 42 4. His legislative career spans from the 107th through the 108th General Assemblies 2.
Specific bill numbers sponsored by Williams are not detailed in the available source materials. However, his policy focus is reflected in his committee assignments and professional background in construction and business development 2. He has also served as a member of the City Council for Cookeville and as a Planner Commissioner for the city 3.
Business interests and wealth source
Ryan Williams self-describes as having a professional background in construction and business development 2. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Carson-Newman College, where he received a soccer scholarship 1. His career history includes work in the construction industry and business development roles prior to his entry into public office 3.
Williams maintains residences in both Nashville and Cookeville, Tennessee. His Nashville address is listed as 425 John Lewis Way North, Suite 612, in the Cordell Hull Building, while his Cookeville residence is located at 1843 Foreman Drive 5. Specific details regarding family wealth sources, ownership stakes in private enterprises, or significant financial disclosures are not provided in the available records.
Family
Williams is married and has two children 2. He self-describes as Baptist 3.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
- State offices (Governor, US Senate, US Rep, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee) — Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Williams”, and submit.
- County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“Williams”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Williams”and, if needed, select the applicable position.