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{{short description|American politician}}
{{short description|American politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}{{Use American English|date=June 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}{{Use American English|date=June 2023}}

{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Craig Williams
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Wendell Craig Williams
| image = Craig Williams.jpg
| state_house = Pennsylvania
| honorific_suffix =
| district = [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 160|160th]]
| image = File:Craig Williams.jpg
| caption =
| term_start = January 5, 2021
| alt =
| term_end =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1965|11|7}}
| predecessor = [[Stephen Barrar]]
| death_date =
| successor =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1965|11|7}}
| birth_place = [[Selma, Alabama]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Selma, Alabama]], U.S.
| death_place =
| placeofburial =
| death_date =
| spouse = Jennifer
| death_place =
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| children = 4
| state_house = Pennsylvania
| spouse = Jennifer
| children = 4
| district = [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 160|160th]]
| education = [[Duke University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[University of Florida]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])<br>[[Columbia University]] ([[Master of Laws|LLM]])
| term_start = {{start date|2021|1|5}}
| term_end =
| allegiance = <!--self-evident-->
| predecessor = [[Stephen Barrar]]
| branch = [[United States Marine Corps]]
| successor =
| rank =
| prior_term =
| battles =
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| alma_mater = [[Duke University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[University of Florida]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])<br>[[Columbia University]] ([[Master of Laws|LLM]])
<!--Military service-->
| nickname =
| allegiance = {{USA}}
| branch = {{marines|United States}}
| serviceyears =
| rank = {{Dodseal|USMCO6}}[[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]]
| unit =
| commands =
| battles = [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]], [[War in Iraq]]
| mawards = <!-- for military awards - appears as "Awards" if |awards= is not set -->
}}
}}
'''Wendell Craig Williams''' is a former [[federal prosecutor]], Assistant [[United States Attorney]], member of the [[United States Marine Corps]], and member of the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives]] for the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 160|160th district]]. He received his bachelor's degree from [[Duke University]] in 1987, his [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] degree from the [[University of Florida Levin College of Law]] in 1997 and his master's degree from [[Columbia University]] in 2001.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/102434/craig-williams | title=The Voter's Self Defense System }}</ref>


Williams served as [[Second Lieutenant#United States|second lieutenant]] during the [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]]. He was later promoted to [[colonel]] in the [[United States Marine Corps]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}
'''Wendell Craig Williams''' is a former [[federal prosecutor]], Assistant [[United States Attorney]], member of the [[United States Marine Corps]], and member of the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives]] for the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 160|160th district]]. He received his bachelor's degree from [[Duke University]] in 1987, his [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] degree from the [[University of Florida Levin College of Law]] in 1997 and his master's degree from [[Columbia University]] in 2001.<ref>https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/102434/craig-williams {{bare URL inline|date=August 2023}}</ref>

Craig served as [[First Lieutenant#United States|Second Lieutenant]] during The [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]]. He was later promoted to [[Colonel]] in the [[United States Marine Corps]].

Currently, in addition to his work as a prosecutor, he devotes many hours to support the youth of America as the Scoutmaster of a local [[Boy Scouts of America|Scout troop]] and advisor and founder of a [[Venturing (Boy Scouts of America)|Venturing Crew]].


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Craig Williams lives in [[Glen Mills, Pennsylvania]] with his wife, Jennifer Arbittier Williams, an Assistant United States Attorney,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iwantherjob.com/your-career/interview/jennifer-arbittier-williams|title = Jennifer Arbittier Williams|date = 3 August 2012}}</ref> and their four children, Emma, Clayton, Cole, and Charlotte.
Craig Williams lives in [[Glen Mills, Pennsylvania]], with his wife, Jennifer Arbittier Williams, an Assistant United States Attorney,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iwantherjob.com/your-career/interview/jennifer-arbittier-williams|title = Jennifer Arbittier Williams|date = 3 August 2012}}</ref> and their four children: Emma, Clayton, Cole, and Charlotte.


==Career==
==Career==
===Marines===
===Marines===
In 1987, he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. During the 1991 [[Persian Gulf War]], he flew 56 combat missions in the [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18D Hornet]]. In 1996, he became a Marine Judge Advocate and joined the Reserves. In 2005, he was mobilized to active duty to serve as Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was later selected for promotion to the rank of colonel in the Marine Corps.
In 1987, he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. During the 1991 [[Persian Gulf War]], he flew 56 combat missions in the [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18D Hornet]]. In 1996, he became a Marine Judge Advocate and joined the Reserves. In 2005, he was mobilized to active duty to serve as Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was later selected for promotion to the rank of colonel in the Marine Corps.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}


===Legal work===
===Legal work===
[[File:Tom Ridge Endorses Craig Williams.jpg|thumb|right|Williams with former PA Governor Tom Ridge]]
[[File:Tom Ridge Endorses Craig Williams.jpg|thumb|right|Williams with former PA Governor Tom Ridge]]
Williams worked as a federal prosecutor, and served on the Joint Terrorism Task Force. During active duty, he served as deputy legal counsel to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Williams clerked with the Honorable [[J.L. Edmondson]], the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He has served as an assistant U.S. Attorney in Colorado and Pennsylvania, and worked under former [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] General [[Richard B. Myers]] and General [[Peter Pace]].
Williams worked as a federal prosecutor, and served on the Joint Terrorism Task Force. During active duty, he served as deputy legal counsel to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Williams clerked with the Honorable [[James Larry Edmondson|J.L. Edmondson]], the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He has served as an assistant U.S. Attorney in Colorado and Pennsylvania, and worked under former [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] General [[Richard B. Myers]] and General [[Peter Pace]].


===2008 congressional campaign===
===2008 congressional campaign===
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{{See also|2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election}}
{{See also|2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election}}


Craig was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2020.
Williams was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2020.


===2024 Attorney General election===
=== Committee assignments<ref>{{Cite web|title=Representative Craig Williams|url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/House_bio.cfm?id=1916|access-date=2022-01-30|website=The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly.|language=English}}</ref> ===
In November 2023, Williams announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the [[2024 Pennsylvania Attorney General election]]. Williams was refused an endorse from both the [[Republican Attorneys General Association]] (RAGA) and the [[Pennsylvania Republican Party]], who both endorsed [[York County, Pennsylvania|York County]] District Attorney [[Dave Sunday (politician)|Dave Sunday]] instead. The snubs came after Williams boasted before entering the race that he would earn the RAGA endorsement. He has since bucked party support, claiming the endorsements are the work of "[[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]] insiders" propping up Sunday,<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGoldrick |first1=Gillian |title=GOP state Rep. Craig Williams, who helped impeach Larry Krasner, is running for Pa. attorney general |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/craig-williams-attorney-general-race-larry-krasner-20231130.html |access-date=23 January 2024 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=November 30, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=McGoldrick |first1=Gillian |title=Pennsylvania GOP endorses York County DA for attorney general |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-attorney-general-race-dave-sunday-20240122.html |access-date=23 January 2024 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=January 22, 2024}}</ref> "a[n] inactive prosecutor who is as progressive as [[Larry Krasner]] in Philadelphia," according to Williams.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Owens |first1=Dennis |last2=Weaver |first2=Jared |title=Dave Sunday, Craig Williams to square off in Pennsylvania Attorney General Republican debate |url=https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania/dave-sunday-craig-williams-to-square-off-in-pennsylvania-attorney-general-republican-debate/ |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=abc27 WHTM |date=February 28, 2024}}</ref> Williams lost to Sunday 70-30.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dave Sunday wins Republican primary in attorney general race |url=https://www.wtae.com/article/dave-sunday-pennsylvania-attorney-general-republican-primary-2024/60585380 |access-date=26 April 2024 |work=WTAE-TV |publisher=Hearst Television Inc. |date=April 24, 2024}}</ref>

* Aging & Older Adult Services
* Human Services
* Urban Affairs
* Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness


==Electoral history==
==Electoral history==
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** [[Joe Sestak]] (D) (inc.), 59.6%
** [[Joe Sestak]] (D) (inc.), 59.6%
** Wendell Craig Williams (R), 40.4%
** Wendell Craig Williams (R), 40.4%

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
[https://www.craigsvotingrecord.com/ Craig Williams Voting Record]


==References==
==References==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Wendell Craig}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Wendell Craig}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:American prosecutors]]
[[Category:Columbia University alumni]]
[[Category:Duke University alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Selma, Alabama]]
[[Category:Politicians from Selma, Alabama]]
[[Category:Duke University alumni]]
[[Category:Politicians from Delaware County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Columbia University alumni]]
[[Category:University of Florida alumni]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps officers]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps officers]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War]]
[[Category:American prosecutors]]
[[Category:University of Florida alumni]]
[[Category:Politicians from Delaware County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2024 United States elections]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly]]
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]

Latest revision as of 04:24, 2 December 2024

Craig Williams
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 160th district
Assumed office
January 5, 2021
Preceded byStephen Barrar
Personal details
Born (1965-11-07) November 7, 1965 (age 59)
Selma, Alabama, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJennifer
Children4
EducationDuke University (BA)
University of Florida (JD)
Columbia University (LLM)
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Marine Corps

Wendell Craig Williams is a former federal prosecutor, Assistant United States Attorney, member of the United States Marine Corps, and member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 160th district. He received his bachelor's degree from Duke University in 1987, his J.D. degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1997 and his master's degree from Columbia University in 2001.[1]

Williams served as second lieutenant during the Persian Gulf War. He was later promoted to colonel in the United States Marine Corps.[citation needed]

Personal life

[edit]

Craig Williams lives in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Jennifer Arbittier Williams, an Assistant United States Attorney,[2] and their four children: Emma, Clayton, Cole, and Charlotte.

Career

[edit]

Marines

[edit]

In 1987, he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. During the 1991 Persian Gulf War, he flew 56 combat missions in the F/A-18D Hornet. In 1996, he became a Marine Judge Advocate and joined the Reserves. In 2005, he was mobilized to active duty to serve as Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was later selected for promotion to the rank of colonel in the Marine Corps.[citation needed]

[edit]
Williams with former PA Governor Tom Ridge

Williams worked as a federal prosecutor, and served on the Joint Terrorism Task Force. During active duty, he served as deputy legal counsel to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Williams clerked with the Honorable J.L. Edmondson, the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He has served as an assistant U.S. Attorney in Colorado and Pennsylvania, and worked under former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard B. Myers and General Peter Pace.

2008 congressional campaign

[edit]

Craig Williams announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district (map). on January 16, 2008.[3] He was endorsed by several high-profile organizations,[4] including The Philadelphia Inquirer.[5] He also received endorsements from, among others, vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin,[6] Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, all of whom also campaigned for Williams.[7][8] His campaign was ultimately unsuccessful, losing to the incumbent Joe Sestak.[9]

2020 House of Representatives campaign

[edit]

Williams was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2020.

2024 Attorney General election

[edit]

In November 2023, Williams announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 2024 Pennsylvania Attorney General election. Williams was refused an endorse from both the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) and the Pennsylvania Republican Party, who both endorsed York County District Attorney Dave Sunday instead. The snubs came after Williams boasted before entering the race that he would earn the RAGA endorsement. He has since bucked party support, claiming the endorsements are the work of "Harrisburg insiders" propping up Sunday,[10][11] "a[n] inactive prosecutor who is as progressive as Larry Krasner in Philadelphia," according to Williams.[12] Williams lost to Sunday 70-30.[13]

Electoral history

[edit]
  • 2008 Race for Congress
    • Joe Sestak (D) (inc.), 59.6%
    • Wendell Craig Williams (R), 40.4%

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System".
  2. ^ "Jennifer Arbittier Williams". August 3, 2012.
  3. ^ Delco GOP picks Gulf vet to face Sestak
  4. ^ Craig Williams endorsements Archived November 26, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Craig endorsed by The Philadelphia Inquirer Archived November 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Craig and Palin
  7. ^ "Tom Ridge endorses Williams". Archived from the original on June 23, 2008. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
  8. ^ Rudy and Craig Archived November 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Sestak Vs. Williams Archived December 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ McGoldrick, Gillian (November 30, 2023). "GOP state Rep. Craig Williams, who helped impeach Larry Krasner, is running for Pa. attorney general". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  11. ^ McGoldrick, Gillian (January 22, 2024). "Pennsylvania GOP endorses York County DA for attorney general". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  12. ^ Owens, Dennis; Weaver, Jared (February 28, 2024). "Dave Sunday, Craig Williams to square off in Pennsylvania Attorney General Republican debate". abc27 WHTM. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  13. ^ "Dave Sunday wins Republican primary in attorney general race". WTAE-TV. Hearst Television Inc. April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 160th district

2021–present
Incumbent