Patrick Williams (Louisiana politician)
| Patrick Charles Williams | |
 | |
Louisiana State Representative for
District 4 (Caddo Parish) | |
| In office April 2007 – January 11, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Cedric Glover |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | Cedric Glover |
| Born | November 1963 Place of birth missing |
| Nationality | African American |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Residence | Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Alma mater | Southern University (Baton Rouge) Centenary College (Shreveport) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Patrick Charles Williams (born November 1963)[1] is a small businessman from Shreveport, Louisiana, who is an African-American Democratic former state representative for District 4 in Caddo Parish in the northwestern corner of his state.[2]
Background
Williams received a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the historically black Southern University in the capital city of Baton Rouge and a Master of Business Administration degree from the United Methodist affiliated Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport.[3]
In 2015, Williams received his doctoral degree in Applied Management & Decision Science Technology from Walden University.
Williams has also resided in Los Angeles, California, and Swainsboro, Georgia, dates unavailable.[4]
Political life
In 2003, Williams ran unsuccessfully for the state House against fellow African-American Democrat Cedric Bradford Glover, who had been first elected in 1995. Glover prevailed in the nonpartisan blanket primary with 5,902 votes (62.3 percent) to Williams's 3,567 (37.7 percent).[5] After Glover was elected mayor of Shreveport, Williams won the right to succeed him in the special election low-turnout held on March 31, 2007. In this race, Williams, with 2,321 votes (65.7 percent) defeated fellow Democrat Larry Ferdinand, who polled 1,214 votes (34.3 percent).[6] Seven months later, Williams won his first full term in the state House when he defeated still another Democrat, Billy Wayne, 7,009 votes (75.2 percent) to 2,311 (24.8 percent).[7] Williams was unopposed for his second full term in the 2011 primary election.
In 2014, Williams sought to succeed his former intra-party rival, Cedric Glover, who was term-limited as the mayor of Shreveport. In the November 4 primary for mayor, Williams finished in third place with 12,880 votes (21.7 percent). Eventual winner Ollie Tyler, an African-American retired educator, led with 26,017 votes (43.7 percent). In second place was an Independent candidate, attorney, Victoria Provenza (born 1960), with 15,155 votes (25.5 percent). Provenza hence edged Williams out of a runoff berth by 2,275 votes[8]
Williams is a former member of the Louisiana Black Caucus, the Rural Caucus, and the Democratic Caucus. He was the vice-chair of the House Ways and Means Committee and served as well on Health and Welfare, the House Executive Committee, and the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay.[3]
In 2014, Representative Williams was rated 44 to 62 percent by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and 25 to 50 percent by the National Federation of Independent Business. He scored 50 percent from the conservative Louisiana Family Forum but 100 percent from Right to Life. He supported the requirement that abortion providers maintain hospital admitting privileges near their clinics. He received a 75 percent rating from the Louisiana Association of Educators. He voted to repeal anti-sodomy laws, but the measure failed to pass the entire House.[9]
In 2013, Williams voted to reduce penalties for possession of marijuana. He voted to repeal mandatory retirement for judges. He opposed life-time concealed carry gun permits and voted to make information on the permits a matter of public record. In 2012, he opposed the measure to require drug testing for welfare recipients. He supported the ban on use of cell phones while driving.[9]
Williams did not seek reelection to a third full term in the House in the primary election held on October 24, 2015. Three black Democrats, Reginald Johnson, Fred Moss, IV, and outgoing Mayor Cedric Glover, ran to succeed Williams.[10] Glover went on to win the seat and returned to the state House.
References
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, Louisiana Voter Portal.
- ↑ Membership of the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2012. house.louisiana.gov. Retrieved on November 28, 2022.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Patrick Williams. house.louisiana.gov. Retrieved on April 23, 2015.
- ↑ Patrick Charles Williams. intelius.com. Retrieved on April 23, 2015.
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 4, 2003.
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, March 31, 2007.
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 20, 2007.
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 4, 2014.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Patrick C. Williams' Political Summary. Project Vote Smart. Retrieved on November 28, 2022.
- ↑ Candidates Qualified in Statewide Elections. KEEL (AM). Retrieved on September 11, 2015.
