Congressional candidate Steve Williams plans to fight for job growth, increasing it for those already in the work force as well as those coming into it — such as Syracuse University graduates.

Williams, a former JAG Corps officer for the U.S. Navy and a Syracuse lawyer, said he believes that it is his experience and drive of being a “fighter” that will allow him to increase the job market, combat student debt and improve campus safety. Williams announced on Oct. 19 that he is vying for the Democratic nomination for New York state’s 24th Congressional District in the 2016 election.

“I want to oppose policies that take jobs to other countries … 20 years ago there were countless high paying jobs (in central New York), and now the jobs have gone,” Williams said.

Williams joined SU professor Eric Kingson and SU alumna Colleen Deacon, as they campaign against Rep. John Katko (R-NY) for the seat in Congress.

Williams, 52, said he plans on fighting the Trade Policy and Programs, a free trade agreement that opens new export opportunities for American businesses, farmers and ranchers, according to the U.S. Department of State website.

The congressional candidate said he believes that polices like this are taking American jobs by creating a situation for more jobs overseas.

“People need jobs (in America) with decent wage support,” he said. “I plan to get jobs by standing up for central interests.”

The lawyer has a track record of fighting for the needs of sailors as well as winning big cases in Syracuse over fair wages and pension funds.

However, looking back, Williams identifies one of his big struggles in life was finding a way to pay for college. He worked throughout his college career, which began at a community college for a year before moving to a state school and law school.

“I was $100,000 in debt after law school … I’ve lived through student debt … My monthly payments were $1,700 a month, which is probably equivalent to $3,400 a month now,” he said.

Williams noted that now it is virtually impossible for a student to work their way through college without incurring debt.

“There’s no way you can pay tuition working 20 hours a week,” he added.

As a father of four who is now working to put his children through college, he said that he agrees with many of the strategies Hillary Clinton has planned to combat student debt. If elected, he will start by cutting interest rates, as well as allow those that have already graduated college the ability to refinance, where they will be able to finance their loans again but at a lower interest rate.

In addition, Williams said he wants to place a cap on the loan payments so that they are not higher than 10 percent of the person’s income. Lastly, he said he wants to work to get Pell Grants to be used for more than tuition.

“The money (from Pell Grants) should be able to be used for living expenses and books, as well,” he said.

When it comes to campus safety, Williams said it is a “huge issue” in which everything that can be done to minimize assault on college campuses, be it sexual or physical, should be done, starting with support.

“We need to give victims the support that they deserve,” Williams said.

He said he believes the state is making moves “in the right direction” by working to change the culture. New York state adopted “Enough is Enough” legislation over the summer that changed the definition of consent and transformed other sexual assault policies for all schools in the state.

Ultimately, Williams said he wants “people to know that I’ve been where they are … and that I understand them.”

Published on October 26, 2015 at 10:13 pm

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