As a virtual unknown, Scott Williams (pictured, left) got nearly 40 percent of the vote last year when he went up against former state Sen. Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) in the race for the Republican nomination for the District 2 seat. Now he wants to be appointed to the seat.
Overbey resigned from the Senate Nov. 21 to be sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee. The Blount County Commission in East Tennessee today will appoint someone to fill his seat. The meeting will be held at 12:15 p.m. in Room 430 at the county courthouse.
State Rep. Art Swann (R-Maryville) also wants to be appointed to the seat and has said he’s confident about his chances, having spoken with most of the county commissioners.
In a press release Thursday, Williams voiced confidence as well, saying he has secured a nomination.
Williams describes himself as a “swamp-hater” and grassroots conservative. In his press release, he called out Swann for being an establishment Republican and for voting for the gas tax hike earlier this year.
Williams is a disabled veteran, having flown hundreds of missions as an Army helicopter pilot. He is a retired IMB engineer and serial entrepreneur. He also has volunteer experience as a grassroots conservative activist.
The appointment made today will be an interim one. Both Williams and Swann have filed to run in the special election next year to replace Overbey for the remainder of his term.
