Williams draws packed house at Charleston fundraising event
By Matthew Young, RealWV
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – It was standing room only at the Charleston Women’s Club Wednesday, as Democratic candidate for governor, and three-term Huntington Mayor Steve Williams was in attendance for a campaign fundraising event.
“It’s amazing how we keep seeing each other along the road,” Williams told supporters, before introducing all of the Democratic party’s down-ticket candidates.
“Some of us were just in this room last Friday,” Williams said. “West Virginia Free was having their gala. They asked each of the candidates to introduce themselves, and say what you’re running for. Then they asked if we would each say who we’re running against.”
“When it was my turn I stood up and said, ‘My name is Steve Williams, and I am the Mayor of Huntington,’” Williams continued. “‘I am the Democratic nominee for governor in the State of West Virginia, and my opponent is not worth having his name mentioned.’”
The Republican nominee is West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. Libertarian nominee Erika Kolenich is also in contention for the governor’s office.
Prior to being elected Mayor for a record three-consecutive terms, Williams served two years as Huntington City Manager, four years on the Huntington City Council, and six years in the West Virginia House of Delegates. Williams was unopposed in the Democratic Primary.
“You have no idea what an honor it is to be able to say that I am the Democratic nominee for governor of the State of West Virginia,” Williams said. “I can only imagine that the only thing that would be bigger than that, would be when I’m standing in the Governor’s Mansion.”
“I’ve known so many of you for so very long, and you know my story,” Williams continued. “I grew up in Mercer County – born in Bluefield. My mother grew up on a little farm just outside of Montcalm. My dad grew up in McDowell County (pronounced ‘MacDowell’), and yes, I know how to say McDowell County,” Williams added with a laugh.
“Both of my grandfathers were coal miners,” Williams noted. “Those two guys are in Heaven, but they saw that I got the UMWA (United Mine Workers Association) endorsement.”
Williams has also received the endorsements of the United SteelWorkers, the West Virginia AFL-CIO, the West Virginia American Federation of Teachers, and the West Virginia Educators Association.
Beyond his political career, Williams has spent more than two-decades in the financial sector, including a six-year stint in Chicago in the early 2000’s, with one of the nation’s largest banks. Earlier this year, the Huntington Mayor found himself at odds with both the majority of lawmakers, as well as the current administration when he called on current Gov. Jim Justice to include the possibility of an abortion ballot measure to May’s Special Legislative Session.
Williams went so far as to begin a petition which would ultimately grow to include more than 2,500 signatures, which he presented to lawmakers. At the time, Williams cited his agreement with former President Donald Trump in his belief that any decisions regarding the legality of abortion should be “put in the hands of the people.” Williams’ proposal, as well as the petition, were ignored by both Justice, and lawmakers.
“What we’re going to be doing in West Virginia moving forward – probably for the next eight years – is we’re going to be setting standards for the rest of the nation to follow,” Williams said. “They’ll be looking to us – standing there tall, with our shoulders back, walking forward.”
“And when someone asks, ‘Where are you from?’” Williams added. “Say, ‘I am from West Virginia – I am from Appalachia.”
“I am the Mayor of Huntington, West Virginia, and soon to be the governor of West Virginia,” Williams concluded. “There are two letters that matter – WV. We’re West Virginians, and that’s all that matters.”
Mayor Steve Williams will next be appearing at the annual Roosevelt Kennedy Dinner, alongside Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. The dinner will take place on Friday, Sept. 27, at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit secure.actblue.com.
Election Day in West Virginia is Tuesday, Nov. 5. The early voting period will be Wednesday, Oct. 23 through Saturday, Nov. 2.
