Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey
Donald Williams (Connecticut)
Donald E. Williams, Jr. (b. July 1, 1957) is a former Democratic member of the Connecticut State Senate, representing District 29 from 1993 to 2015. He served as Senate President Pro Tempore from 2004 to 2015, Deputy President Pro Tempore/Majority Caucus Chair from 2002 to 2004 and Senate Assistant Minority Leader in 1997. Williams did not seek re-election in 2014.
Williams was Chief Executive Officer for the Town of Thompson and First Selectman for the Town of Thompson from 1987 to 1991.
Biography
Williams earned his B.S. from Syracuse University in 1980 and his J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1986. His professional experience includes working as a Law Review Research Editor for Washington and Lee University School of Law, attorney for Boland, Saint Onge and Brouillard and News and Public Affairs Director for WINY Radio from 1980 to 1983.
Committee assignments
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Williams served on the following committees:
| Connecticut committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Executive and Legislative Nominations, Vice Chair |
| • Legislative Management, Chair |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Williams served on these committees:
| Connecticut committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Executive and Legislative Nominations, Vice Chair |
| • Legislative Management, Co-Chair |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Williams served on these committees:
| Connecticut committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Executive and Legislative Nominations, Vice Chair |
Elections
2012
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2012
Williams ran in the 2012 election for Connecticut State Senate District 29. Williams ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on August 14, 2012. He defeated Sally White (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[1][2][3]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  Donald E. Williams Incumbent |
62.4% | 21,567 | |
| Republican | Sally White | 37.6% | 13,007 | |
| Total Votes | 34,574 | |||
2010
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2010
Williams ran for re-election to the 29th District seat in 2010. He had no opposition in the primary or general election.
| Connecticut State Senate, District 29 General Election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Donald Williams (D)
|
17,241 | |||
| John Hallbergh (Ind) | 4,351 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Williams won re-election to the 29th District Seat in the Connecticut State Senate, defeating Harry Carboni (R).[4]
| Connecticut State Senate, District 29 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Donald Williams (D)
|
25,544 | |||
| Harry Carboni (R) | 9,163 | |||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Connecticut scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2014
In 2014, the Connecticut General Assembly was in session from February 5 to May 7.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor policy.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2013, the Connecticut General Assembly was in session from January 9 to June 5. Ballotpedia staff did not find any state legislative scorecards published for this state in 2013. If you are aware of one, please contact editor@ballotpedia.org to let us know. |
2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2012, the Connecticut General Assembly was in session from February 8 to May 9.
|
Yankee Institute's Voter Guide
- See also: Yankee Institute's Voter Guide (2012)
The Yankee Institute, a pro-market think tank, releases its Voter Guide after each two-year legislative term. Each member of the Connecticut General Assembly receives a score from 0 to 10 based on how he or she voted in ten key votes. The Institute selects key votes which "reveal the differences between those legislators that would harness the power of individual liberty and the market to improve lives, and those that prefer a centrally-planned approach." A legislator with a 10 voted in agreement with the Yankee Institute on all 10 votes, while a legislator with a 0 voted against the Yankee Institute's views or was absent for all 10 votes.[5]
2012
Williams received a score of 0 on the Yankee Institute's Voter Guide for 2011-12, tied with 15 others for the lowest score among the 36 scored members of the Connecticut Senate. This score was 2 lower than his score of 2 for the 2009-10 term.[5]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Williams and his wife, Laura, have one child.
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Donald + Williams + Connecticut + Senate
See also
- Connecticut State Senate
- Senate Committees
- Connecticut State Legislature
- Connecticut state legislative districts
External links
- Profile from Open States
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2010, 2008 2006 2004 2002 2000 1998 1996
Footnotes
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "Candidate List," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "Official Primary Results for 2012," August 14, 2012
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "Election Results 2012" accessed November 17, 2012
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "2008 General Election Results," November 4, 2008
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Yankee Institute for Public Policy, "Yankee Institute Voter Guide for 2011-12," October 19, 2012
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ' |
Connecticut State Senate - District 29 1993–2015 |
Succeeded by Mae Flexer (D) |
 |
State of Connecticut Hartford (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
