Faith, values propel candidate's run for U.S. Senate

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By McKay Allen, Guest Contributor
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November 23, 2009 — "My faith defines my life." U.S. Senate hopeful Craig Williams says.

His faith, frankly, is at the root of why he's running against Senator Patty Murray.

Craig Williams was raised in Western Washington. He was raised in an blue-collar Latter-day Saint home, with his five brothers and sisters. His dad was an airline mechanic. His family was frugal, and faithful. He says from a young age, the Church was "a foundation and a mainstay" for him.

Craig Williams, pictured here with his family, is a candidate in the 2010 U.S. Senate elections for the position currently held by Senator Patty Murray. Contributed Photo.

Williams grew up doing typical LDS things. He was involved in Scouting and says he loved the outdoor elements of Scouting but wasn't very good at the "checklist" of Scouting. He grew up participating in sports and playing musical instruments. In nearly every way, he says, his family was the typical, faithful LDS family.

As a ninth grader he determined that he needed to gain a testimony of the gospel for himself. He started applying himself in seminary, read the scriptures on his own, eventually the gospel, "became very real to me," he says.

And now he can say, "I am a complete disciple of Jesus Christ."

While in high school, he met a girl at a debate camp, a girl who would change his life. Her name was Ann. She was not a member of the Church, but eventually decided to take the missionary lessons and just weeks before Craig Williams left on his mission to the Japan Tokyo North Mission. Craig was able to attend her baptism and then confirm her a member of the Church.

In Japan, Craig learned quickly that he was "a momma's boy," and then learned Japanese - less quickly.

"I learned to love other missionaries," he says. "And to love the people."

After his mission, Craig went to BYU, and began studying physics. His sweetheart, Ann, was also, by this time, at BYU and was studying Electrical Engineering. Craig and Ann were married on Aug. 2, 1986 in the Seattle Temple.

Today Craig has a Masters in Nuclear Engineering, and an MBA in Securities and Finance. He's had a successful career, has worked on the East Coast and here in Washington.

But his greatest success is his family. He and Ann have six kids. And his family, he says, is also "defined by the gospel."

So, why is he running against Sen. Patty Murray? Why is he running for U.S. Senate.

He says the answers come down to something his parents and the Church taught him when he was young - freedom and frugality.

"If our country's government doesn't change its spending habits," Williams says. "We will lose our freedom, and religious freedom will be gone along with that."

The crushing spending and debt the federal government seems unwilling, or unable to control, will bankrupt America.

"And that,will affect the Latter-day Saints," Williams says.

Of Senator Patty Murray, Williams says, "She is no longer a mom in tennis shoes, she's now a Washington insider."

And, in an effort to run down spending, this LDS man is running for Murray's job."

For more information on Craig Williams' campaign for U.S. Senate, visit http://www.votewilliams2010.com/

McKay Allen is a reporter for KXLY 4 HD News. He's a graduate of Brigham Young University. He and his wife are members of the Franklin Park Ward in the Spokane North Stake.

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