Ryan Williams (Tennessee)
Ryan Williams (Republican Party) is a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 42. He assumed office on November 2, 2010. His current term ends on November 3, 2026.
Williams (Republican Party) is running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 42. He declared candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled on August 6, 2026.[source]
Biography
Williams earned a B.S. in Biology from Carson-Newman College, where he had a soccer scholarship. He has worked in construction and business development. Williams previously served as a Planner Commissioner and City Council Member in the City of Cookeville.
Committee assignments
2023-2024
Williams was assigned to the following committees:
- Commerce Committee
- Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
- Health Committee
- Pensions and Insurance Committee
2021-2022
Williams was assigned to the following committees:
2019-2020
Williams was assigned to the following committees:
- Government Operations Committee
- House Government Operations Committee
- House Education Committee
- Naming, Designating and Private Acts Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Tennessee committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Calendar and Rules |
| • Finance, Ways, and Means |
| • Government Operations |
| • Health |
| • Government Operations |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Williams served on the following committees:
| Tennessee committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Education Instruction and Programs |
| • Health |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Williams served on the following committees:
| Tennessee committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Health, Vice chair |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Williams served on these committees:
| Tennessee committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Health & Human Resources |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2026
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on August 6, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42
Incumbent Ryan Williams is running in the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 on August 6, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Ryan Williams | ||
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Endorsements
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2024
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42
Incumbent Ryan Williams defeated Amber Taylor in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ryan Williams (R) | 73.9 | 21,184 | |
Amber Taylor (D) ![]() | 26.1 | 7,482 | ||
| Total votes: 28,666 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42
Amber Taylor advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Amber Taylor ![]() | 100.0 | 1,212 | |
| Total votes: 1,212 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42
Incumbent Ryan Williams advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ryan Williams | 100.0 | 2,411 | |
| Total votes: 2,411 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Williams in this election.
Pledges
Williams signed the following pledges.
2022
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42
Incumbent Ryan Williams won election in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ryan Williams (R) | 100.0 | 12,929 | |
| Total votes: 12,929 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42
Incumbent Ryan Williams advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 on August 4, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ryan Williams | 100.0 | 4,926 | |
| Total votes: 4,926 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2020
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42
Incumbent Ryan Williams won election in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ryan Williams (R) | 100.0 | 20,591 | |
| Total votes: 20,591 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42
Incumbent Ryan Williams defeated Dennis Bynum in the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 on August 6, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ryan Williams | 69.9 | 5,778 | |
Dennis Bynum ![]() | 30.1 | 2,489 | ||
| Total votes: 8,267 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2018
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2018
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42
Incumbent Ryan Williams defeated Terry Scott in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ryan Williams (R) | 69.1 | 15,401 | |
| Terry Scott (D) | 30.9 | 6,883 | ||
| Total votes: 22,284 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42
Terry Scott advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 on August 2, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Terry Scott | 100.0 | 2,471 | |
| Total votes: 2,471 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42
Incumbent Ryan Williams advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 on August 2, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ryan Williams | 100.0 | 7,842 | |
| Total votes: 7,842 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for the Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 4, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 7, 2016.
Incumbent Ryan Williams defeated Amos Powers in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 general election.[1][2]
| Tennessee House of Representatives, District 42 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | 74.50% | 17,486 | ||
| Democratic | Amos Powers | 25.50% | 5,986 | |
| Total Votes | 23,472 | |||
| Source: Tennessee Secretary of State | ||||
Amos Powers ran unopposed in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 Democratic primary.[3][4]
| Tennessee House of Representatives, District 42 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | ||
Incumbent Ryan Williams ran unopposed in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 Republican primary.[3][4]
| Tennessee House of Representatives, District 42 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | ||
2014
Elections for 99 seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 7, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 3, 2014. Michael Walsh was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Ryan Williams was unopposed in the Republican primary. Williams defeated Walsh in the general election.[5][6]
2012
Williams won re-election in the 2012 election for Tennessee House of Representatives, District 42. Williams ran unopposed in the August 2 primary election and defeated Thomas D. Willoughby (D) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[7][8]
2010
He defeated Democrat Henry Fincher in the general election on November 2, 2010. Williams defeated Bill Cody in the August 5 primary.[9][10]
| Tennessee House of Representatives, District 42 General Election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| 9,222 | ||||
| Henry D. Fincher (D) | 7,456 | |||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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You can ask Ryan Williams to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing voteryanwilliams@gmail.com.
2024
Ryan Williams did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Ryan Williams did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Ryan Williams did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
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 Tennessee scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 9 to April 25.
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2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 10 to April 21.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 11 to April 28.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 5.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 14 to June 19.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Tennessee General Assembly was in session January 8 through May 2.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the 110th Tennessee General Assembly, second session, was in session January 9 to April 27.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the 110th Tennessee General Assembly, first session, was in session January 10 to May 10.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the 109th Tennessee General Assembly, second year, was in session from January 12 through April 22
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the 109th Tennessee General Assembly, first year, was in session from January 13 through April 22.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the 108th Tennessee General Assembly, second year, was in session from January 14 to April 18.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the 108th Tennessee General Assembly, first year, was in session from January 8 to April 19.
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2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the 107th Tennessee General Assembly, second year, was in session from January 10 through May 1.
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2011
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. |
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In 2011, the 107th Tennessee General Assembly, first year, was in session from January 11 to May 21.
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Williams and his wife, Abby, have two children. They currently reside in Cookeville, Tennessee.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 |
Officeholder Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ The New York Times, "Election 2016," accessed November 11, 2016
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "2016 general election results - Tennessee House of Representatives," accessed January 19, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Tennessee Secretary of State, "Candidate Petitions Filed as of April 8, 2016 Noon Qualifying Deadline," accessed April 11, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Tennessee Secretary of State, "August 4, 2016 Unofficial Election Results," accessed August 4, 2016
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "August 7, 2014 Election Results," accessed September 11, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Petitions Filed for State Senate and State House of Representatives," accessed April 5, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "2012 List of Candidates," accessed April 18, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Department of State, "Election Results," accessed April 18, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "2010 Primary Election Official Results," accessed April 18, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "2010 Tennessee General election results," accessed April 18, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Bar Association, "Nashville Chamber Releases 2015 Legislative Scorecard," accessed November 10, 2015
- ↑ Tennessee Bar Association, "Nashville Chamber Releases 2015 Legislative Scorecard," accessed November 10, 2015
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 2010-Present |
Succeeded by - |
= candidate completed the 

