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 Toledo, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political 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.[4]
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] apart of 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.