Republican · Texas's 25th District · 2026
Roger Williams
Williams played baseball at TCU and professionally before coaching college players.
Biography
Roger Williams built a life around baseball before entering politics, playing at Texas Christian University and in the Atlanta Braves' farm system, then coaching at TCU.12 Born in Evanston, Illinois, he grew up in the Fort Worth area and graduated from Arlington Heights High School.21
His official biography records a TCU bachelor's degree in 1972, professional baseball from 1971 through 1973 and coaching at the university from 1974 through 1976.2 His business career has included running a family car dealership and a cattle operation in North Texas.1 Baseball remained part of his Washington life through coaching the Republican team in the Congressional Baseball Game.1
Governor Rick Perry appointed Williams Texas secretary of state in 2005, and he served until 2007 before winning election to Congress in 2012.12 In that state post, he also served as chief liaison for Texas border and Mexican affairs.1 He now chairs the House Small Business Committee, a position he has held since 2023, and also serves on Financial Services.23
His campaign emphasizes lower taxes, less federal spending, border security and limits on federal authority under the Tenth Amendment.1 He also identifies support for Israel among his guiding policy positions.1 His Democratic opponent is Dione Sims.4
Record and controversies
Rental car amendment and closed ethics review
Williams offered a 2015 amendment that would have exempted auto dealerships from restrictions on renting recalled vehicles, prompting questions about his own dealership; the amendment did not become law.5 In 2017, the House Ethics Committee declined to reprimand him, saying the circumstances did not create a reasonable inference of improper conduct, but said he should have sought its guidance first.5 Williams defended the proposal as applying small business experience to overreaching regulation.5
Stock disclosure complaint and verification limit
In September 2021, Campaign Legal Center asked the Office of Congressional Ethics to investigate Williams, alleging that three of his spouse's 2019 stock sales, worth $3,003 to $45,000, lacked required periodic transaction reports even though the assets appeared on his annual disclosure.6 The filing requests an investigation rather than establishing an official finding; this review had not verified a public disposition or a Williams response to that specific complaint as of October 29, 2026.6