Once one of more than 50 freshmen members of the Georgia House of Representatives, Liberty County’s Al Williams now is one of the most tenured lawmakers under the Gold Dome and will remain that way after last month’s primary. Williams, a Midway Democrat, captured 78% of the vote, garnering 3,911 ballots cast for him to Henry Covington’s 1,103. With no Republican opposition on the ballot in November, Williams is assured of re-election to the General Assembly.

“It feels good that the people still have the confidence in me as a state representative and they still believe I represent their wishes,” Williams said.

Now about to enter his 12th term in office, Williams is one of the longest- serving members of the state House of Representatives. He serves on six committees — Appropriations, Defense and Veterans Affairs, Economic Development and Tourism, Game, Fish and Parks, Regulated Industries and the powerful Rules.

The Rules Committee determines which bills go before the House floor for debate and a vote. The Appropriations Committee determines how money in the state is spent.

“I have important committee assignments. It takes years to build those up,” Williams said. “It is a process and it takes steps and I have kept climbing the steps on the ladders. You can easily be left in the dust if you don’t have the representation that can work on both sides of the aisles.”

The 168th District includes the majority of Liberty County, except for a few streets on Fort Stewart’s garrison and the uninhabited portion of the county within the installation.

“Folks like the way the ship is going,” he said.