Ryan Williams

State Representative, Tennessee · District 42

Ryan Williams, a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 42 since January 2011

Portrait of Ryan Williams
Role State Representative

Current office, as recorded in the directory.

District District 42

The district this member is elected from.

Service since 2024

Dates of service on record.

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Biography

Ryan Williams (born June 1, 1973) is an American politician and a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives. He has served as the Chair of the Republican Caucus in the House from January 2016 to January 8, 2019.1

Biography:

  • Early Life: Williams was born in Kingsport, Tennessee, and grew up in Blountville and Sullivan County. He graduated from Sullivan Central High School.
  • Education: He earned his B.S. in Biology from Carson–Newman College (now Carson–Newman University), where he was a standout athlete on the Division II Men’s Soccer team.
  • Political Career:
    • In 2010, Williams challenged incumbent Democratic Representative Henry Fincher for District 42. He won the Republican Primary and the General Election.
    • In subsequent elections, he ran unopposed in the Republican Primaries and secured victories in the General Elections.
    • In 2016, his colleagues elected him as the Republican Caucus Chairman.
    • In 2023, Williams supported a resolution to expel three Democratic lawmakers from the legislature for violating decorum rules.
  • Election Results:
    • 2010: Won against Representative Fincher.
    • 2012: Won with 71.4% of the vote.
    • 2014: Won with 71.8% of the vote.
    • 2016: Won with 74.50% of the vote.
  • Personal: Williams resides in Cookeville, Tennessee.

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References

  1. Ryan Williams, State Representative. wapp.capitol.tn.gov. Retrieved October 10, 2026.
  2. Official website. wapp.capitol.tn.gov. Retrieved October 10, 2026.