Posted on 08/02/2007 7:48:11 AM PDT by Cat loving Texan
Bouncy Williams seeks re-election with eye on higher office Bush friend once sought office by avoiding public appearances.
By W. Gardner Selby Thursday, August 02, 2007
He's a bald, bouncy speaker, wears colorful bow ties and black boots, and last lost an election more than 20 years ago with young George W. Bush as his campaign manager.
But Michael Williams remains little-known for a reason: He hasn't held an office that draws notice.
Williams, 54, stands out as the first African American elected to nonjudicial statewide office in Texas. Appointed by then-Gov. Bush to the Texas Railroad Commission in 1998, he then won election twice at the polls. Colleagues just gave him a second round chairing the commission, which oversees the oil and gas industries.
The Midland-born lawyer is hunting re-election next year, but he could try for attorney general in 2010 if incumbent Greg Abbott runs, say, for lieutenant governor or the U.S. Senate.
Williams was born to schoolteacher parents who, by his recollection, kept him in Catholic schools until Midland schools desegregated in 1969. That's when Williams tried out for the high school football team coached by his father. He and Dad quibbled about his quarterbacking potential, so Williams focused on track. He ended up walking on as a hurdler at the University of Southern California.
Politics clearly thrills him. "I'm an exhorter," he said. "I am the guy that rallies and that mobilizes, that generates the energy of troops around an issue."
He ran for student body president in fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth grades. He later was president of USC's Black American Law Student Association.
At 31, he ran for county attorney in very white, conservative Midland. After a poll suggested some voters would spurn him because of his color, Bush and the candidate agreed to avoid traditional coffees and similar events — basically keeping him out of sight.
Later, the pair realized the strategy was foolish and reversed course. Williams still got stomped in the primary.
As a commissioner, Williams champions the prospect of a public-private partnership bringing a 10-year, $1 billion project to build a zero-emission coal-fueled power plant in Texas.
Williams, who's had jobs in three federal agencies, recognizes that Republicans may have soured on Washington. Some are disappointed, even down in the dumps, he says in campaign videos. "But I firmly believe that we can regain, revitalize and reclaim our conservative spirit. Get our swagger back."
His core constituency, he said, are social conservatives such as Cathie Adams, who heads the Texas Eagle Forum. She rates Williams a conservative who can be trusted when the heat is on.
If a Democratic challenger surfaces, she or he would try to be the first Democrat to win a statewide race since 1994. Maybe they'd gain momentum as national Republican troubles affect Texas.
Williams said of possible foes: "Does one have a record to run on? Do they have the vision? That'll be a whole lot more important than someone's DNA."
wgselby@statesman.com; 445-3644
I voted for him last time he ran for office. I concede that the office of railroad commissioner isn’t one you read about every day. I’ve been wondering how Williams was doing.
“But I firmly believe that we can regain, revitalize and reclaim our conservative spirit. Get our swagger back.”
“Does one have a record to run on? Do they have the vision? That’ll be a whole lot more important than someone’s DNA.”
I’m in love.
If “Bouncy” is a buddy of Jorge El Segundo’s that puts him in the same class as Gonzales and Sutton.
Hardly endorsement material.
Sounds like he deserves re-election.
Might be interesting to see Williams go for the top job of Governor in 2010 instead.
I wish he'd try for the Senate in 2010 instead.
Whatever you say!
“I wish he’d try for the Senate in 2010 instead.”
Kay Bailey Hutchison’s term runs to the 2012 election.
Jerry Patterson for Guv in 2010!
Woops.
Thanks for the correction. I should have known that.
Bouncy, isnt that a stripper’s name?
You don’t know what you’re talking about. Michael Williams is a good man.
Maybe so.
But I’ve had it with Jorge and anyone connected with him.
Muchos gracias.
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