ATLANTA — State Sen. Tommie Williams, R-Lyons, announced his retirement from the Georgia State Senate Wednesday. Williams will not qualify to run for re-election for Senate District 19, which includes Long County and a portion of Liberty County, but will serve out the rest of his term.
In 1998, as a 42-year-old business owner, Williams felt a strong calling to run for the state Senate. Though the odds seemed stacked against him at the time, he soon became one of the first Republican senators from southeast Georgia. During his 18 years of service, Williams served thousands of constituents in 19 counties around South Georgia. Moving through the ranks from majority leader to president pro tem, he served alongside and befriended senators on both sides of the aisle.
“We have a very well-run state, and I am happy to have been a part of that,” he said. “Georgia is a low-tax, low-debt state, with the best credit rating in the nation. It has been rated as the No. 1 state to do business.”
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle commended Williams’ work in the Senate.
“Sen. Tommie Williams has distinguished himself as an outstanding public servant, someone who has remained steadfast in advocating for his constituency and the people of Georgia. He has served the people of the 19th District with honor and dignity, leaving a lasting impact on this great state,” Cagle said.
Area lawmaker retiring
