Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

I was born in Lumberton, as the fifth (and largest -- 10.5 lbs) of six children.  My late parents, Sadie Williams (a musically talented, second grade public school teacher) and Russell Williams (a former Army Officer and Truant Officer) were simply two great Americans.  At age ten I commenced work in tobacco fields of Robeson County, where I learned the distinctions between the “haves” and those who don’t, along with an appreciation of the value of a dollar.  My Catholic upbringing reinforced the human values and character strengths which were instilled in our home.  Participation in sports or playing the piano, along with honor roll grades were expected of each child. 

While at Lumberton High School, I discovered that my special gift was an ability to gain the trust of others and rally them around a common purpose or project.  My contemporaries honored me by electing me the first person to serve as Student Body President of the fully integrated High School.  After matriculating to UNC Chapel Hill, and attaining the Dean’s List and several Wrestling letters, I was blessed to be elected Student Body President. After venturing to the Univ. of Minnesota and enjoying that diverse social and cultural milieu, my classmates elected me the first minority Law School Student Body President.

Employment in Legal Services, representing poor people in their civil survival needs, gave rise to a twenty-five year professional association.  In N.C., at age 32, I served as CEO of the northeastern program in Ahoskie, covering eleven counties running from Halifax to Dare.  Subsequently I assumed similar duties in Wilmington with the southeastern Legal Services program spanning seven large counties.  At each program, we undertook community based economic development projects that are still flourishing.  Upon my return to Lumberton, I worked for indigents at the Public Defender’s Office for five years.

When assessing the economic and diplomatic results of seven years of the current administration in Washington, it becomes manifest that there is a vital need for change.  The heretofore announced candidates do not appear to be able to facilitate such a substantive change.  On the one hand, the incumbent has served as the out of state, unwavering, national chief cheerleader for this failed and discredited Republican administration.  On the other hand, the two leading Democratic candidates are more of the same old story.  One, who had to be cajoled into running, is the hand-picked nominee of the old guard, power elite of the party.  The other is the darling of the high-financed, special interest groups.  I believe North Carolina can do much better.

Therefore, I will undertake this endeavor to correctly bring out the desired, significant change.  Together, North Carolinians of good will and I will fight and win to foster improvements in education, health care, the environment, our infrastructure and, undoubtedly, the economy.  Further, we will prudently and expeditiously act to end the ill-advised war in Iraq.

I will recruit the best and brightest from across North Carolina, from multiple political affiliations, to serve on my staff to assure that all people have the finest of constituent service.

The insight gained from my previous attempts for statewide public office and my twenty-eight years of regional and community-based public service will enable this campaign to hit the ground sprinting.

We will garner sufficient non-PAC resources to disseminate our positive message with alacrity and vision.

Let’s go to work … Fill your gas tanks and remember to commence to vote by absentee ballot on March 17, in anticipation of the heavy turnout expected for the May 6 Primary.

It will be an honor to serve you!