Former U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams, who lives in the Auburn area, will join incoming President Donald Trump's administration.听
Trump Thursday that Williams, R-Sennett, will be nominated to serve as under secretary for nuclear security in the U.S. Department of Energy. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he will also be the administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration.听
The National Nuclear Security Administration was established in 2000 and is the agency responsible for managing U.S. nuclear weapons. According to the agency's mission, it is also tasked with providing nuclear propulsion to the U.S. Navy.听
Williams is a U.S. Navy veteran who served as a nuclear submarine officer and strategic missile officer.听
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In a , Williams thanked Trump for the nomination.听
"If and when confirmed by the Senate, I will be honored to lead the tremendous scientific and engineering talent at (the National Nuclear Security Administration)," Williams said. "Under the leadership of (Chris Wright) as the energy secretary, our critical work at the (Department of Energy) will ensure the security of our nation."
A Dallas native and former tech entrepreneur, Williams settled in Sennett and started a truffle farm聽with his wife, Stephanie. In 2022, he sought the Republican nomination for Congress in the 22nd district.听
When Williams initially launched his bid, the district included part of Cayuga County. But it was redrawn that year and consisted of Onondaga, Madison and Oneida counties, along with a portion of Oswego County.听
Despite not living in that district, Williams continued his campaign. He was outspent in the GOP primary, but defeated Steve Wells to secure the party's nomination.听
In the general election, Williams faced Democratic candidate Francis Conole, who is also a U.S. Navy veteran. Democrats had a voter registration advantage in the district, but Williams overcame that to win the House seat.听
Although Cayuga County wasn't in the district, Williams was the first county resident elected to Congress in 60 years.听
During his one term in Congress, Williams was a proponent of nuclear energy and served on three committees, including the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.听
The 22nd district was redrawn again, this time to include the city of Auburn and part of Cayuga County. Onondaga and Madison counties are in the district, along with parts of Cortland and Oneida counties.听
The new district gave Democrats a larger voter enrollment edge, which made Williams' reelection bid more difficult. He was a prodigious fundraiser and ran on key issues, including energy, immigration and national security.听
Ultimately, he lost to Democratic challenger John Mannion in November.听
After the election, it was reported that Trump was considering Williams for a Cabinet post. Williams was one of the candidates for labor secretary, but Trump announced he would nominate former U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer.听
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 664-4631 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on X @RobertHarding.