Sandra Williams (American politician) facts for kids

Sandra R. Williams is a former politician from the Democratic Party. She served in the Ohio Senate from 2015 to 2022. Before that, she was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 2007 to 2014. Her district covered parts of Cleveland and several nearby towns in Ohio.

About Sandra Williams

Early Life and Education

Sandra Williams grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. She went to college at Cleveland State University and Tiffin University.

Her Career in Government

Before becoming a politician, Sandra Williams worked in the field of criminal justice. She was a corrections officer, a probation officer, and a parole officer. She also worked as a mediator, helping people solve disagreements.

Sandra Williams also served her country in the United States Army Reserve. She was a member from 1987 to 1995. Later, she worked at the Statehouse as an assistant for Annie L. Key, who was a representative in the Ohio House.

Serving in the Ohio House of Representatives

In 2006, when Annie L. Key decided not to run again, Sandra Williams ran for the same seat. She won the election and became a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. She was re-elected several times.

During her time in the Ohio House, Sandra Williams took on important leadership roles. She was elected President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus. This group works to support African-American lawmakers and communities. She also led the Economic Development Committee, which focuses on creating jobs and helping businesses grow in Ohio.

Moving to the Ohio Senate

After serving in the Ohio House for several years, Sandra Williams decided to run for the Ohio Senate in 2014. She won this election too, and began serving in the Senate in 2015.

As a Senator, Sandra Williams worked on important issues. She joined a special group created by Governor John Kasich. This group worked to improve relationships between communities and police departments in Ohio. She left the Ohio Senate in June 2022 to work in the private sector.

Running for Mayor

In 2021, Sandra Williams decided to run for Mayor of Cleveland. The current mayor was retiring, and she wanted to lead the city. She was the only woman running in that election. While she did not win, she was a strong voice in the race.

Her Views and Goals

Sandra Williams has always been a strong advocate for diversity. She believed that government leaders should represent all the different people living in Ohio. She also supported efforts to help minority-owned businesses.

She was also a strong supporter of workers' rights. She believed that workers should have the right to negotiate for better pay and working conditions. Sandra Williams also spoke out against laws that would make it harder for people to vote, especially minority voters. She believed everyone should have easy access to voting.

One time, she spoke up when citizens trying to meet with lawmakers were stopped by state troopers and a police dog. She felt that using a police dog was unnecessary and intimidating for people who just wanted to talk to their representatives. In the Senate, one of her first goals was to create more training programs for workers.