John-Samuel Etheridge Williams
From Ballotpedia
John-Samuel Etheridge Williams (Republican Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 51st Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.
Williams completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
John-Samuel Etheridge Williams was born in San Diego, California. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2004 to 2004. Etheridge Williams earned a high school diploma from Eastlake High School, a bachelor's degree from California State University, Northridge in 2010, and a graduate degree from Liberty University in 2024. His career experience includes working as a public administrator, English teacher, and pastor. As of 2025, he was affiliated with Fadhili Helpers in Nairobi, Kenya and the Women's Hope Center in Pohang, South Korea.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: California's 51st Congressional District election, 2026
Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. House California District 51
Incumbent Sara Jacobs, John-Samuel Etheridge Williams, and Mike Bucy are running in the general election for U.S. House California District 51 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Sara Jacobs (D) | |
 | John-Samuel Etheridge Williams (R)  | |
| Mike Bucy (Independent) | ||
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
John-Samuel Etheridge Williams completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Williams' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I’m a proud San Diego native of Mexican and African-American descent, a devoted husband, and a father of three amazing kids. I’m running for Congress, but not as a typical candidate. I’m committed to a grassroots campaign, just the people. I work at the airport, earning $18 an hour, a single income household in San Diego with three children so I understand the struggles of everyday families because I have been living it. With a BA in African American Studies and a Master’s in Public Administration I understand two things well, people and how good policy is made. Sadly these days policy is made without regard to the people it will affect. So I’m ready to fight for real change. This campaign isn’t driven by money—it’s driven by people. We don’t need wealth to make a difference but thats what I have been told you cant run a campaign without a big bank. We have made that the norm but this campaign will fight for the people because their voice matters more than money. Its NOT I the politician its WE the people so I am willing to take on the political establishment in order to protect the constitutional rights of my constituents.
- Im going to bring integrity back to politics. For far too long Politicians have used and abused people with their promises during election time and then leave them in the shadows the rest of the year. We need someone to represent us that will be able to bring a hard work ethic and standard of ethics when it comes to forming good policy that will benefit the greater good even if it is at the cost of their personal success or popularity. I believe I have been preparing for that role my entire life coming from a legacy of hardworking and honest Americans who desire to serve their country. Politicians have forgotten it is NOT I the politician it is WE the people. They are accountable to those same people.
- San Diego has for far too long been the untenable dream for many. For natives like my family you are forced to struggle amidst this coastal paradise or leave the place your family has called home for generations. Housing costs have far exceeded wages. Job growth has not exceeded grocery prices and the cost of health care casts a looming shadow every month for working class Americans. San Diegans deserve better. Working class families deserve better at-least the fight chance to make their own way in the city they've called home. I intend to make it my personal mission to make San Diego affordable again for my constituents and city. That is a tall order I know but it we work together on creative solutions we can work hard to grasp it.
- How many of us have faith in our Congress? How many of us trust our Congress? It is not uncommon for many to even balk at the thought of trusting their representative body. That is because I believe they realize money and popularity has been prioritized over money.
Im passionate about housing policy as well as education and especially the impact of homelessness on so many areas of public policy that have a direct affect on our homes. I believe that we need more creative solutions to making housing more affordable to all. A big part of that as well is ensuring the education system where families are settling is able to give a standard of education that will set up our next generation for success. That includes a generation that is being left out on the streets without much hope. Homelessness is one of the single biggest failures of public policy in San Diego. We have overspent and underdelivered and every tax paying San Diegan and citizens facing homelessness are suffering as a result.
I have always admired both my grandparents. My mexican grandfather fought in the Korean war and came back to signs that said “No dogs and no Mexicans” and my black grandfather grew up in the Jim Crow south and joined the Navy during segregation and still managed to achieve the highest rank enlisted. Both of them did not accept failure and despite their circumstances refused to quit on themselves. They showed a courage in fighting for what they knew would be a better America one day for their kids and grandkids. They never stopped learning and always encouraged me to do the same. I want to follow their example because that is exactly the kind of man I want to be. One who has the courage to look suffering in the eye and say you are only going to make me stronger. Thats been my life turning hard times into fuel. They have both passed but I feel like they are still watching me. I want to stand up and show them and all my ancestors that risked so much that the descendant of mexican farmers and revolutionaries and enslaved peoples sacrifice wasn't in vain and would one day walk the halls of Congress and be a leader that would transform what they knew America could be into a reality.
Glory. Watch Glory. A movie depicting one of the first all black regiments during the Civil War, the 54th Massachusetts. Their commander Colonel Robert Gould Shaw through personal sacrifice and a desire to inspire these men of color to greatness in spite of their history lead them from the front. He was a servant leader who eventually even sacrificed his life for his men and country.
I think they should be of good character. Practically that means they should be friend you have the confidence to go to for wisdom but the heart you would seek for understanding. They should be a statesmen and follow a code of ethics that supersedes even their personal ambitions. They should put the greater good of the people they serve first always in their heart and mind.
Im a servant leader and the only reason I learned to be that is the example of my savior Jesus Christ. I believe to be any kind of leader you must have the heart of servant who puts the greater good of the people above even his own ambitions. It is a natural instinct for me to fight for the people who feel marginalized because I know how that feels. To be a voice for those who are struggling to make ends meet because I have been there.
I am FOR the people because I am FROM the people and I know its not I the politician its WE the people.
They have the responsibility to be a servant leader to form and influence good public policy that will see their community thrive. They have a responsibility to feel the heartbeat of their constituents and then be their voice in the halls of Congress that their potential sufferings never be made silent or unconsidered. They have the responsibility to be an advocate and representative to help them to better understand what is going on in the halls of Congress and our government.
One that would make my community and country greater than any name I could make for myself.
I was in middle school during 9-11. I was on my way to school when I heard chatter on the radio about an attack in New York by the time I got to school the teacher set up a TV and we watched as the second plane struck the tower. It had a profound effect on me seeing that level of devastation and sadness on my country.
I worked at Seaworld at the Happy Harbor playground. I remember thinking after my first paycheck I was rich which was about 50 dollars. I cant remember how long I worked there but it wasn't long before the smell of Shamus tank got to me.
Besides the bible which I didnt start reading until my 20’s but gave me a rock to cling to when I was struggling with addiction. I would honestly say A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah it is about a child soldier in Africa and it brings tears to my eyes to think while I had a relatively normal childhood there are many out there who are fighting just to be a child. I also love any kind of poetry books especially ones by Tennessee Williams or Charles Bukowski.
The Dark Knight without a doubt. But close second is Black Panther.
Country Road by John Denver (Can you tell I was on a roadtrip through the mountains?)
I have always struggled with doubt until my grandfather taught me that sometimes you just have to do things afraid until they no longer scare you. I learned to take what many saw as weaknesses and turn them into strengths.
The U.S. House of Representatives is unique in many ways. It represents populations of The United States by district, with more populous states having more representatives such as California. Members only serve two-year terms, making the House more responsive to public opinion and representatives accountable to their constituents. The House has the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills and plays a central role in the federal budget. Its size (435 members) creates a more structured, party-driven system compared to the Senate, with stricter debate rules. The House is also responsible for impeachment, though the Senate handles trials. It focuses more on domestic issues, maintaining closer ties to local constituencies.
Beneficial of course. Necessary? Absolutely not because the most important thing that the most beneficial is that they have the good character and capacity to put and keep their hand on the heartbeat of their constituents and country to be able to form policy that would let them thrive and protect their constitutional rights. In many ways that previous experience can actually hurt their ability to lead because it can make them blind and unable to consider the people they lead because they put political pandering or ambitions or even status quo above the greater good. I would argue that sometimes a fresh face coupled with creative ideas from a new candidate is not only helpful but necessary.
I think one of the biggest challenges to overcome is our own desire for political retribution over the greater good of the country. What I mean is if we tend away from bipartisanship then we neglect the people we were elected to serve and our country will decline and working class families will suffer.
I think it is appropriate because that is what our founding fathers considered appropriate as the foundations for our legislative system. I would also consider on top of that a further limit on a representatives overall terms of service.
They need to be expanded especially where poor leadership has infected the areas of government and public administrations.
George Washington as a representative for the state of Virginia set the standard for our country to thrive and one that I greatly admire. He believed that in order for our constitutional republic to thrive we must remain united. He set the standard for knowing when to step down and pass the torch of democracy and putting the greater good even above personal ambitions especially in his farewell address.
My neighbor a lifelong Democrat attended my Grandfathers repass and we talked extensively about politics. Without knowing my party we agreed on more things than we both expected when she found out I was a Republican. That had a profound effect on how I want to lead because I realized we are truly all in this together and that we cant escape the responsibility as representatives to lead those and put the greater good of those even we disagree with above our personal shortcomings or ambitions. Suffering and struggle doesnt care what party you belong to but a community is united when we try to bear those burdens for each other.
Im sorry I dont want to TACO bout my favorite joke. Ha!
It can be when it comes to issues that require it. What I mean is there can be no compromise when it comes to the Constitutional Rights and liberties that the people are endowed with. However when it comes to forming policy that will ultimately be successful and effective it is often more effective to gain the wisdom of many so long as it is in the best interest of the people.
It would put the highest level of care and understanding for what kind of policy is being enacted at the forefront of my mind. When it comes to managing that revenue means that you have families and administrative budgets and communities in your hands. Therefore the utmost consideration and care even to exhausting all research and possibilities must be taken.
Carefully and Constitutionally with an emphasis and great consideration on the latter.
If my community endorses my campaign thats enough for me. They are the endorsement that truly matters to me.
Ethics, Ways and Means, Veterans Affairs as well as Education and Workforce I believe play to my strengths and I would be eager to serve on them to the benefit and greater good of my constituents and country.
There should be the utmost transparency when it comes to any financial policy or dealings. The people deserve and have a right to know where their hard earned tax dollars are being spent and how. The government has always and need be always accountable not just at election time but all the time to the people they were elected to represent.
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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.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House California District 51 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 2, 2025
Senators
Alex Padilla (D)
Adam Schiff (D)
Representatives
District 1
Doug LaMalfa (R)
District 2
Jared Huffman (D)
District 3
Kevin Kiley (R)
District 4
Mike Thompson (D)
District 5
Tom McClintock (R)
District 6
Ami Bera (D)
District 7
Doris Matsui (D)
District 8
John Garamendi (D)
District 9
Josh Harder (D)
District 10
Mark DeSaulnier (D)
District 11
Nancy Pelosi (D)
District 12
Lateefah Simon (D)
District 13
Adam Gray (D)
District 14
Eric Swalwell (D)
District 15
Kevin Mullin (D)
District 16
Sam Liccardo (D)
District 17
Ro Khanna (D)
District 18
Zoe Lofgren (D)
District 19
Jimmy Panetta (D)
District 20
Vince Fong (R)
District 21
Jim Costa (D)
District 22
David Valadao (R)
District 23
Jay Obernolte (R)
District 24
Salud Carbajal (D)
District 25
Raul Ruiz (D)
District 26
Julia Brownley (D)
District 27
District 28
Judy Chu (D)
District 29
Luz Rivas (D)
District 30
Laura Friedman (D)
District 31
Gil Cisneros (D)
District 32
Brad Sherman (D)
District 33
Pete Aguilar (D)
District 34
Jimmy Gomez (D)
District 35
Norma Torres (D)
District 36
Ted Lieu (D)
District 37
District 38
Linda Sánchez (D)
District 39
Mark Takano (D)
District 40
Young Kim (R)
District 41
Ken Calvert (R)
District 42
Robert Garcia (D)
District 43
Maxine Waters (D)
District 44
Nanette Barragán (D)
District 45
Derek Tran (D)
District 46
Lou Correa (D)
District 47
Dave Min (D)
District 48
Darrell Issa (R)
District 49
Mike Levin (D)
District 50
Scott Peters (D)
District 51
Sara Jacobs (D)
District 52
Juan Vargas (D)
Democratic Party (45)
Republican Party (9)
