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Governor-elect taps longtime legislator Charlie Williams as chief of staff

Appointment should greatly help the Delta
by Eva Ann Dorris
DBJ Contributing Writer

If Mississippi Delta republicans are riding the wave of their success in the 2003 elections, they can add to their accomplishment a post-election victory. Northwest Mississippi native and long time Mississippi legislator Charlie Williams, most recently recognized for his economic development accomplishments as director of Programs and Projects for Tunica County, has been appointed Governor-elect Haley Barbour’s chief of staff.

“Charlie Williams had a long, very successful career in the Legislature, culminating with two terms as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee,” said Barbour in his Dec. 2 announcement of Williams’ appointment. “I consider it crucial for a governor to have an effective and positive working relationship with the Legislature, and Charlie will be a great asset to me in that regard.”

Williams was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1976 and served 24 years as a representative. Among his roles of those 24 years include having served as chairman of the House, Ways and Means committee for eight years.

Williams, who himself attempted to gain the republican nomination for governor in 1999, has maintained his presence in politics and economic development. In the mid 1990s, Williams was chairman of the Southern Legislative Conference, which includes 16 Southern States. In 1998, Williams held the position as chairman of the Council of State Governments, which is an umbrella agency that represents all 50 state legislatures and most elected and appointed state officials across the country.

“Williams was one of the more able state legislators this reporter ever encountered and his institutional memory of state government spans the last quarter century,” said Clarion Ledger’s Perspective editor and syndicated political columnist Sid Salter.

Salter said Barber could have hired Williams for many reasons, including a genuine friendship and many mutual interests, but those weren’t the reason Barbour turned to Williams for this important role in his political team.

“Barbour hired Williams because he knows how to get things done in the Legislature. Williams understands taxing and spending, to be sure,” said Salter.

“But more than that, Williams understands the politics of how lawmakers deal with governors. He understands the art of political compromise and he understands how to avoid the grand-standing and showmanship that has cost previous governors any shot at getting their legislative agendas considered,” said Salter.

Williams is a native of Senatobia. He graduated from Senatobia City School, attended Northwest Mississippi Community College and graduated from Ole Miss in 1966. He is married to Ellen Peters Williams.

“Having known Charlie since we were in college together, I appreciate the sacrifice Ellen and he are making in accepting this important role in my administration,” Barbour said.

Williams’ resume also includes extensive experience in the insurance business, having owned an insurance agency. Since 2000, Williams has worked as a lobbyist for several private sector clients, while also serving as director of Programs and Projects for Tunica County.

The Williams’ have two sons: Robert Lomenick and John Travis Lomenick. Williams is the son of the late Bill and Mary Williams of Senatobia. His father, grandfather and great uncle were all at one time elected sheriffs in Tate County. His mother was a school teacher and director of the Tate County Department of Human Services. DBJ