Drew Williams
Drew Williams (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Kentucky's 1st Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on May 19, 2026.[source]
Williams completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Drew Williams was born in Paducah, Kentucky. He earned a high school diploma from Marshall County High School and a bachelor's degree from Murray State University in 2016. His career experience includes working as a construction worker.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Kentucky's 1st Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on May 19, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1
Drew Williams is running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1 on May 19, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Drew Williams  | |
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1
Incumbent James Comer Jr., Penny Arcos, David Sims, and Robert James Sutherby are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1 on May 19, 2026.
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Endorsements
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2018
General election
General election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 6
Chris Freeland defeated Linda Edwards in the general election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 6 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Chris Freeland (R) | 64.5 | 12,236 |
 | Linda Edwards (D) | 35.5 | 6,727 | |
| Total votes: 18,963 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 6
Linda Edwards defeated Al Cunningham and Drew Williams in the Democratic primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 6 on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Linda Edwards | 45.0 | 2,935 |
 | Al Cunningham | 32.6 | 2,127 | |
| Drew Williams | 22.5 | 1,467 | |
| Total votes: 6,529 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 6
Chris Freeland defeated Randall Fox in the Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 6 on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Chris Freeland | 63.3 | 1,490 |
| Randall Fox | 36.7 | 863 | ||
| Total votes: 2,353 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Drew Williams completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Williams' responses.
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I have spent nearly two decades working in family-owned businesses, building docks and marinas across 5 States. I’ve sunk boats full of tools, drilled thousands of holes with dulled-out bits, and installed sheet metal roofs, all in 115-degree heat, driving wind, and oncoming storms — and I’d do it again tomorrow. Because to me, hard work has built my character and working on the water (where everyone goes to vacation) brings about its own kind of inner-peace.
I’m grateful to the Western Kentucky community that raised me up and gave me the ability, capacity, and opportunity to work towards goals that improve the lives of others. Since 2019, my wife and I have worked with the surrounding community to revitalize the historic Tater Day festival into a more accessible and inclusive event, I've volunteered more times than I can count, and I believe in showing up for my community -- whether there's credit to be had or not.
I am here for you.- I believe that the Constitution calls us to be true representatives of the unique and nuanced perspectives of our district. I believe in doing the work — behind-the-scenes work that actually improves lives. Progress doesn’t come from speeches or media posts. It comes from listening, showing up, and being willing to fail forward. I want to formalize our public townhalls, issue-driven debates, courthouse surveys, and expert roundtables to get a true understanding and perspective of where our community stands. It is my duty to vote based on that collectively gathered soft-data while working to be an advocate for the poor, marginalized, and disenfranchised. To work to bring their stories, experiences, and information to the table.
- I believe policy should be personal. Too often, decisions are made by people who are too far removed from the impact. I’ve seen what it looks like when families fall through the cracks, when rural communities get ignored, and when working people and marginalized communities are treated like an afterthought. My priorities will always come from the ground up — shaped by people, not party lines. I don’t care who gets credit. I care about getting it done, and getting it done for the right reasons. Technical innovations, new community engagement systems and inviting people to the conversation in unique ways everyday are all important facets of how I want to revolutionize how the public gets involved with their political system!
- I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong. I try to check my own bias and experiences at the door, and I stay open to new information, perspectives, and better ideas — even if they challenge my own thinking. Leadership should be rooted in honesty, not in what’s politically convenient. I’d rather tell you the truth than tell you what you want to hear, and I would rather work with you to help find a solution or compromise than dismiss those with opposing ideology from the discussion. We draw a line at the suffering and intentional harm of others, from authoritarianism and policies that remove the humanity and dignity from people's lives.
Local Agriculture Sustainability
Proactive Disaster Preparedness
Forward-thinking Economic Innovation
Equitable, Whole-person Education
Family Preparedness & Upliftment
Community-centered Healthcare
Human-centered Liberty Advocacy
Dignified & Meaningful Work
Military Service Members and Families
Political Corruption & Civic Engagement Reform
Rural Development & Small Business
Accountability – Takes responsibility for actions and decisions.
Transparency – Keeps the public informed and explains the "why" behind choices.
Responsiveness – Listens to constituents and addresses real needs.
Empathy – Understands and respects the lived experiences of others.
Community-mindedness – Prioritizes people over partisanship or personal gain.
Humility – Willing to learn, admit mistakes, and change course if needed.
Decisiveness – Makes clear choices under pressure.
Pragmatism – Focuses on what works, not just what polls well, while understanding what constituents demand of you
Adaptability – Responds to changing information and circumstances with openness.
Work ethic – Shows up, prepares, follows through.
Policy understanding – Knows the issues and their impacts deeply.
Problem-solving mindset – Seeks solutions, not headlines.
From my Community Service Experience, I have showcased my ability to work with all parts of my community, to accomplish tasks within and without the government as a civilian, and to speak with everyone as equal individuals deserving their own dignity and time at the table. Just because I may be elected to office, does not make me any better than anyone else.
From my Educational Experience, I have a robust and well-rounded approach to the information pathways and knowledge that I have received to allow me to understand difficult topics quickly and to produce unbiased, well-researched, and logic-backed answers that put people first.
--
(no one will take this part seriously... )
Represent Constituent concerns and support local priorities at the national level
Monitor Federal Programs and Agencies by serving on Committees and work to ensure transparency and efficiency in government
Constituent Services that help constituents navigate our community, assist with casework and aid and connecting people with resources, grants, and opportunity.
Building Coalition by working across party lines, engaging with local, state, federal, and tribal leaders, and partnering with non-profits, unions, businesses, and advocacy groups to ensure that everyone's concerns are accounted for.
But if I had to leave a legacy, I hope it is one of good conversation, logic-based and empathy-centered debate, and an honest and humble declaration of overall care for every person from every walk of life. I know I will fail more times than I succeed, but I hope people remember that I am always trying to be better than I was yesterday, and I'm sorry if that person yesterday hurt you or didn't understand you or your needs in any way.
I’ve always been drawn to high-fantasy worlds — the kind that challenge your imagination, stretch your perception, and pull you into stories where systems, characters, and consequences all collide. Series like World of Warcraft, Pendragon, Magic: The Gathering, and The Shannara Chronicles aren’t just entertaining — they’re intricately built, morally layered, and full of the kind of storytelling that sticks with you. I prefer content that leans toward younger or general audiences, where the messages are powerful without being buried in excessive violence or shock value.
As a Character development scheme and overall skillset + general behavior is something that I could get behind. He is thrust into a situation where he has to take on the most challenging responsibilities possible, instill peace amongst the warring nations of the world, learn skills and ways of action in a short time period that take others lifetimes to master, and remain true to himself the entire time.
I play a Shaman in World of Warcraft, I am always the nature or element-based character in games.
The House alone has the power to initiate revenue and spending bills, giving it a central role in determining how taxpayer dollars are used. It also sets the tone for national conversation — with fast-paced debate, procedural flexibility, and a structure that allows for a greater diversity of voices and priorities. Designed to be the chamber closest to the people, the House reflects the founders’ vision of a government that listens, adapts, and responds to the everyday concerns of its citizens.
The House of Representatives was designed to be the most democratic body in our government, modeled in part on Athenian democracy, where public service was considered a duty of citizens, not a career. In Athens many public officials were chosen by lot to ensure broad civic participation. We have modernized that process, but the spirit remains: the House should reflect the full scope of American life, not just a narrow political class.
Economically, we’ll need to navigate a world reshaped by automation, climate shifts, corporate consolidation, and rural disinvestment. That means prioritizing meaningful work, infrastructure renewal, and local self-reliance over stock buybacks and temporary fixes.
We're also headed for a reckoning with political corruption, misinformation and a lack of human advocacy. If Americans can’t rely on a fair system, or if the loudest voices are those with the deepest pockets or the most hateful rhetoric, democracy won't function the way it's meant to.
Healthcare, housing, and education continue to stretch families too thin — especially in rural areas like the one I call home. And while we have the tools to address these, we lack the political will and the representation that puts people first.
Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, Senior -- OUT!
I believe compromise is both necessary and desirable. It’s how diverse communities, ideologies, and lived experiences coexist within a single republic. While there are lines that cannot be crossed -- particularly when it comes to fascism, constitutional protections, and human rights -- I also recognize that small, incremental steps often allow progress to be durable, lasting, and widely accepted. That doesn't make the injustices happening to people today any more bearable, but by working with what we have, not what we wish for things to be, we can enforce those first steps that pave the way to better tomorrows.
Our founders, and generations of leaders since, were no strangers to gridlock or disagreement. They faced enormous divides over representation, commerce, civil rights, and the very scope of federal power. But many of them understood something we must remember : progress requires humility, patience, and a shared commitment to something larger than self-interest or belief alone.
(I work on the water, I saw the invasive carp issue first hand, I live across the water from Land Between the Lakes, I understand and respect natural land preservation, the preservation of historical land spaces, the need to uplift and empower the indigenous tribes of the United States, and have a healthy respect for both our current needs and productions of fossil fuels while understanding the direction and needs of greener and renewable energy and construction materials going forward)
Rules
(I think we have lost our way in the formatting structure and systems of how debates are formulated and engaged in. I try not to be boastful but I do find myself to be a skilled conversationalist and I am able to organize the thoughts and intentions of a group of individuals with great efficiency. I think we could and should establish a few more debate style systems that would drastically improve the public's understanding of subjects and the intentions behind lawmakers -- ex: each line of a bill needs to be explained and connected to the original point of the bill, bills should also cover the most specific topics possible and be broken into multiple bills of a level of cohesion or relevance isnt maintained in the bill, chalk-board/brainstorm debate with all members that showcase diversification of opinion on a bill through longform discussion of topic. We could work to improve the modernization of congressional proceedings and the viewing of that process -- ex: allow for digital showcasing of graphs, charts, pictures, so that they can be represented digitally elsewhere for the public. We could set a level of conversational decorum necessary for progress)
Science, Space, and Technology
I support stronger transparency laws for congressional budgets, discretionary spending, and lobbying disclosures. That includes real-time public access to how elected officials spend public funds — from staff salaries and travel to committee resources. I also believe in strict rules around conflicts of interest, stock trading bans for members of Congress, ethics reviews around family or close friend or business benefits, and term limits to reduce self-serving political careers.
Accountability isn’t just about avoiding corruption — it’s about restoring trust. I support independent oversight bodies, publicly accessible ethics reviews, and mandatory community input on major legislation. If a representative can't explain how or why they voted a certain way, they shouldn't be in office.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 5, 2025
