Williams, Donald E. Jr.
Senate President Pro Tempore
District towns: Brooklyn, Canterbury, Killingly, Mansfield, Putnam, Scotland, Thompson, Windham
Election history: Williams was elected in a special election in 1993, succeeding Kevin Johnston, who resigned to became the Democratic state auditor. In 2008, Williams was cross-endorsed by the Working Families Party.
2008 general election:
Harry Carboni (R) 9,163 25 percent Donald E. Williams (D)
25,544 69 percent Donald E. Williams (WF)
2,189 8 percent
Public financing: Williams received $85,000 in public financing for his campaign under the Citizens' Election Program and returned a surplus of $4,946.43.
Background: Williams' ascent was a consequence of Gov. John G. Rowland's fall. The disgraced governor's resignation in July 2004 set off a cascade of changes. By constitution, Lt. Gov. Jodi Rell succeeded Rowland and Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin Sullivan succeeded Rell. Into the Senate leadership void stepped Williams, a softspoken lawyer and onetime radio newsman from the "Quiet Corner" of Northeastern Connecticut.
Williams has clashed with Rell and lobbyists on issues important to him, such as health reform and childhood nutrition. He corralled the votes to restrict junk food in schools, a bill praised by nutrition advocates and derided by others as paternalistic. And he managed to override Rell's veto of Sustinet, a program that Williams hopes will be the first step on the road to universal health care.
But any conflict involving Williams always seems to stay at a low simmer. He is so mild-mannered that House Majority Leader Denise Merrill has called him the Clark Kent of the Senate. He is an introvert by nature, an unusual personality type for a legislative leader.
Williams' tenure as Senate president pro tem has coincided with two strong election cycles for Democrats, who hold 24 of the Senate's 36 seats, enough to override any vote if the caucus holds together. That has been a problem for Williams, especially on budget and tax issues.
Williams is the former first selectman of Thompson.
He is married and has a daughter. He and his wife live in Brooklyn.
Committees: Legislative Management (co-chair), Executive and Legislative Nominations
Education: B.S., Syracuse University; J.D., Washington and Lee University School of Law
Occupation: Lawyer/legislator
2008 Financial Disclosure: Williams reported no income other than his legislative wages. His wife, is employed by the Putnam schools. They own their home in Brooklyn in Northeastern Connecticut.
Williams owned several mutual funds.
He filed a confidential addendum listing any debts exceeding $10,000. He declined to release the addendum, as is his choice under the law.
A note on financial disclosure: Every spring, officials are required to disclose the ownership of real estate, the source of any income exceeding $1,000 in the previous calendar year and securities worth more than $5,000. They also are required to file an addendum in which they report any debt of more than $10,000; this may by law be kept confidential.
Brooklyn! Canterbury! Killingly! Mansfield! Putnam! Scotland! Thompson
B.S., Syracuse University! J.D., Washington and Lee University School of Law
Lawyer/legislator
Legislative Management (co-chair)! Executive and Legislative Nominations! Reapportionment
Williams' rise into the Senate's top leadership post, president pro tempore, was a consequence of Gov. John G. Rowland's fall. The disgraced governor's resignation in July 2004 set off a cascade of changes at the Capitol. By constitution, Lt. Gov. Jodi Rell succeeded Rowland and Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin Sullivan succeeded Rell. Into the Senate leadership void stepped Williams, a softspoken lawyer and onetime radio newsman from the "Quiet Corner" of Northeastern Connecticut.With the election of Dannel P. Malloy as the first the Democratic governor in 20 years, Williams no longer is top dog at the Capitol. Williams has clashed with Rell and lobbyists on issues important to him, such as health reform and childhood nutrition. He corralled the votes to restrict junk food in schools, a bill praised by nutrition advocates and derided by others as paternalistic. And he managed to override Rell's veto of Sustinet, a program that Williams hopes will be the first step on the road to universal health care.But any conflict involving Williams always seems to stay at a low simmer. He is so mild-mannered that Secretary of the State Denise Merrill has called him the Clark Kent of the Senate. He is an introvert by nature, an unusual personality type for a legislative leader.Williams' tenure as Senate president pro tem has coincided with two strong election cycles for Democrats, who won 24 of the Senate's 36 seats in 2008 and 23 in 2010. Williams started the 2011 session with a caucus depleted by three resignations, leaving him with 20 seats until three special elections are held Feb. 22. The resignations may have a salutatory effect for Williams, who has been plagued by rumors he would move on, either taking a legislatively appointed auditor"s job or joining the Malloy administration.The two senators who quit to join the Malloy administration were Andrew McDonald of Stamford and Donald DeFronzo of New Britain, each mentioned as possible successors to Williams. The third was Thomas Gaffey, another who was thought to have an eye on moving up. Now, they are gone, and Williams still is the top leader in the Senate.Williams has no strong ties to the new governor. He backed Ned Lamont in the Democratic primary, as did House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden. Pragmatism dictates that the trio will find a way to get along.Williams is the former first selectman of Thompson.Personal: He is married and has a daughter. He and his wife live in Brooklyn.
Williams was elected in a special election in 1993, succeeding Kevin Johnston, who resigned to became the Democratic state auditor. In 2008 and 2010, Williams was cross-endorsed by the Working Families Party. He had no Republican opponent in 2010.
Donald E. Williams! Donald E. Williams! John O. Hallbergh Jr.
