User:LizArchive/Harley Williams

Harley Williams (born January 23, 1960) is an American politician and lawyer currently serving as the first junior United States Senator from Cheyenne since June 4, 1990 and as Secretary of Energy since November 28, 1992. Williams was a progressive activist prior to entering electoral politics. She is a member of the Farmer Labor Party. As of 1992, Williams has indicated she will run for a 2nd term in 1996.

Personal Life
Williams was born on January 23, 1960 in Austin, Texas, U.S. to Bill Williams (1901 - 1987) and Shirley Williams (b. 1939). She grew up upper lower class in a poor neighborhood in East Austin. In 1978, she graduated Austin High School in the top of her class, and managed to get accepted into Harvard University in 1978, attending until 1982, when she earned her degree in Education. In 1978, Williams married her high school boyfriend, Jack Smith, and in 1979 birthed his child, Jack Smith Jr. In 1981 the couple divorced after Jack Smith was found having an affair. In 1982 she became a Elementary School Teacher and also started doing activism for Progressive causes. In 1987, Williams' father, Bill Williams, died to natural causes at age 86. On June 23, 1989, Williams' had a surrogate child named Rosa Williams. In 1992, she married President Hubert Humphrey.

Political Career
Williams began her political career in the early 1980s when she began doing activism work for progressive causes specifically around education. In 1984, at age 24, she ran an Independent Democratic-Socialist campaign for Mayor of Austin against longtime 18-year Republican incumbent Lee Cooke. Many didn't expect her to win, but she ended up winning in a upset by only 1.2%. She was a Progressive Mayor supporting major reforms in Austin. Williams was appointed Secretary of State of Cheyenne by Gov. David Golden in 1990 to replace Fmr. SoS Barry Obamna. As Secretary of State, Williams expanded voting access by implementing universal vote by mail policy in Cheyenne. On June 4, 1990, Williams was appointed to fill Senator Diane Gonzolez-Sivula's seat following her death. At age 30, Williams was one of the youngest US Senators in history at the time of their inauguration. In 1992, President Hubert Humphrey appointed Williams to United States Secretary of Energy, and she was confirmed later that year.

U.S. Senate (1990-present)
Williams took office as Senator in June 1990 by Gov. David Golden following the death of Senator Diane Gonzolez-Sivula. In the 1990 general election, Williams won a full first term against Rep. Ox Dise Caulk. She has been a progressive Senator, who voiced some opposition to the 1990 invasion of Libya, although voted for it, and was a strong supporter of the invasion of Kuwait/Iraq. She also voiced concern during the 1992-1993 budgeting process over the high defense spending. She has voting for all of President Hubert Humphrey's nominees to cabinet positions.

Electoral history
The following is the electoral history of Harley Williams.

1990 Senate campaign
In early 1990, Senator Diane Gonzolez-Sivula died and as a result, Williams was appointed to the seat to finish Sivula's term which ended in January 1991. Williams announced she should seek a full term in 1990 and became the Farmer Labor nominee in an uncontested primary. Her opponent was Rep. Ox Dise Caulk, a New Republican. The race was initially though to be close although as the election came sooner Williams took a dramatic lead and won by 17.3%.