A resident of Maynardville, in the Tennessee State Senate Williams represented the 4th district, which encompasses Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, and Union counties.
In explaining his move, Williams said: "Some in the [Republican] party are leading us down a path of bitterness and divisiveness and, in doing so, they have left me.
The district he represents is generally regarded as strongly Republican, but Williams said he believes voters appreciate independence.
In the 2007-2008 edition of the Tennessee Blue Book, Williams listed his party affiliation as "Independent NASCAR Fan.
"[6] In 2008 he ran for re-election to the State Senate as an independent candidate,[7] narrowly losing to Church Hill attorney Mike Faulk, a Republican, by a vote of 29,417 to 29,171.