Jared W. Williams

Jared W. Williams is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives for the 76th district. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected in 2022. His district encompasses parts of the city of St. Louis.

Early life and education

Williams was born in 1984 in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science. He remained at the university to attend the University of Missouri School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree. During his education, he was involved with the Missouri Students Association and interned for then-United States Senator Claire McCaskill.

Career

Before entering politics, Williams built a career as a civil litigation attorney. He worked at the St. Louis law firm of Capes, Sokol, Goodman & Sarachan, P.C., focusing on complex commercial disputes and personal injury law. He has represented clients in proceedings before the Missouri Court of Appeals and various state circuit courts. Williams also served as a board member for several community organizations in the St. Louis metropolitan area, including those focused on urban development and legal aid services.

Political positions

In the Missouri House of Representatives, Williams serves on committees including the Special Committee on Public Policy and the Committee on Economic Development. He has advocated for expanding Medicaid coverage, increasing funding for St. Louis Public Schools, and implementing stricter gun control measures, such as universal background checks. Williams supports protecting abortion rights in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision and has opposed efforts by the Missouri General Assembly to restrict LGBT rights. He is a critic of the state's right-to-work legislation and has sponsored bills aimed at raising the minimum wage in the United States.

Electoral history

Williams first ran for the Missouri House of Representatives in the 2022 election for the 76th district. He won the Democratic primary against community activist Michele Kratky, the wife of former state representative J. Otto Kratky. In the general election, he defeated Republican candidate John D. Lynch with approximately 78% of the vote. The seat was previously held by Democrat Steve Butz, who did not seek re-election. Williams's election was part of a broader cycle where Democrats maintained several urban seats in the Missouri General Assembly.

Personal life

Williams resides in the Tower Grove South neighborhood of St. Louis. He is married and has two children. He is a member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Missouri Bar. In his free time, he volunteers with the St. Louis Area Foodbank and coaches youth sports leagues. Williams is a parishioner at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in St. Louis. Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the Missouri House of Representatives Category:Democratic Party members of the Missouri House of Representatives Category:People from St. Louis Category:University of Missouri alumni Category:University of Missouri School of Law alumni Category:Missouri lawyers