- Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate, Darrell Williams
thank you for joining us.
- Hey, thank you.
It's my honor to be here today.
- So you're a State Emergency
Management Administrator
and an Army Veteran.
Why do you wanna be a US Senator?
- Well I think in this day and time,
it's really important that we have somebody
with some knowledge, skills, and experience
in the areas that's really critical
to us at this point in time.
I believe that the education
of our kids is paramount at this point in time
especially when we're trying to be competitive.
Especially as we bounce back from COVID 19.
I spent 26 years in education.
I was a teacher,
principal, turnaround principal
and was selected national principal
of the year in interim superintendent of schools.
I completed my education.
I have a bachelor's in education,
master's in administration
and a PhD in urban education.
I joined the army when I was 16 years old.
I spent 29 years in the military
with many years spent right here
in our own Wisconsin National Guard.
I received, I spent two years
in the combat zone in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As a administrator of
Wisconsin Emergency Management.
I was appointed to that role by Governor Evers.
That is the lead state agency that deals
with all natural and manmade disasters.
It also serves as a heartbeat of the COVID 19 response
and also all civil unrest action here within the state.
For me, this is not a matter
of election where this is the name, you know
of the person who has the most money.
This is about someone with some knowledge, skills
and background in those particular areas
and someone who can
work with people
at the national level
and get us the best results right here
within the state of Wisconsin.
- Okay.
If elected, what would your legislative priorities be?
- I'm really concerned about the whole issue
with Roe v. Wade
'cause I'm one who really believes
in the woman's right to choose.
Also, I think it's important that we look
at the Homeland Security of this nation
and what we do for our veterans.
And you will not find a stronger candidate
and a stronger advocate
for veterans issues than myself.
And the other side of the coin,
teachers.
As we are trying to bounce back from COVID 19,
teachers in all across the nation
especially here in the state of Wisconsin
they are the heartbeat
of our growth.
And we also have to look at
the issues that people brought up
during the George Floyd situation.
The whole issue of Black Lives Matter.
You're looking at someone who truly supports
law enforcement to the fullest.
But we also, whenever we talk about
Black Lives Matter,
I know that all lives matter,
but black lives can't matter
until they are a part of the all.
- You touched on the economy a bit.
Inflation has reached a 40 year high.
How should federal lawmakers address inflation?
- Not only just the price of food,
but the price of healthy foods
when especially those who are trying
to be healthy and so forth
and improve their longevity and so forth.
It's very expensive.
We have got to address those particular issues.
I know that one of the issues that
is on the table is the whole legalization of,
for example like marijuana,
to try to address and try to curtail
and try to help ease the burden on some of these issues.
And I'm one that fully supports the legalization
of marijuana to help with our roles,
to help deal with some of these tax issues.
- President Joe Biden recently signed
new gun control measures into law.
How would you address gun violence as a Senator?
- I'm not new to gun violence.
I've seen that
unfortunately, kids they bring guns
to school and we have to deal with it.
Fortunately, we haven't had the mass shooting.
But we have to make sure
that we have great plans in place.
I am a person who believes
in the right to bear arms,
but I do believe that there are too many guns getting
in the hands of people who should not have them.
It should not be that easy for kids to get guns.
I don't believe that kids need
a semiautomatic weapon to go deer hunting
or rabbit hunting or squirrel hunting.
I don't believe that.
And I do believe that we need to make sure
that that the age is increased.
I believe we need gun safety.
I don't believe a 18 year old kid
should be able to go and buy a gun.
I do not believe that teachers need guns
inside of schools.
I do not believe that administrators need guns
inside of schools.
I understand it's a very touchy issue
but we have got to,
and it requires much more discussion
but I don't believe that we need them
inside of our schools as well.
- On a matter of trust and elections,
how would you reassure Wisconsin voters to have confidence
in the electoral system?
- We have got to allow the people
of Wisconsin to hear the voices
of everybody who's on that ballot
so that they can make an informed decision.
I've seen the results of the Marquette Poll.
And the thing about it is this.
There's 48 there was 48%
of people who said,
they're not comfortable
with the people who are necessarily being highlighted.
And they're undecided at this particular point.
So that says there's 48% of the voters out there
who just don't know at this point.
And the only way that they're going to know
is that we give them the opportunity
to hear the voices.
And that's the fairest way
for everybody to make an informed decision.
I think that gives people
an opportunity
to build trust, I think that builds trust.
Whether you have a million dollars or a dime,
everybody has one vote
and everybody wants their voice to count.
Whether you are living in the richest part
of River Hills or the poorest part of Iron County
they want their voice to count.
- Senator Ron Johnson has been elected twice.
Why are you the Democrat who can beat him
in the general election in November?
- What I've found in the
as I've traveled the state of Wisconsin
is that people want somebody
who's really going to represent them.
This is not about race.
Sometimes it's about class.
Sometimes it's about just wanting someone
to do the right thing by Wisconsinites
all over this state.
And that's what I'm about.
I don't look at everything as black and white
but I do look at things and say
what is right and wrong with this situation here.
And that's the approach that I take whenever
I go all across this state.
- Darrell Williams.
Thank you so much for joining us.
- Sir, Thank you.
It's been my honor and my pleasure.