Williams steps down from House seat early for DHS job

Jeff Williams, washington county assessor
Jeff Williams, washington county assessor

SPRINGDALE -- Rep. Jeff Williams, R-Springdale, stepped down from the state House District 89 seat today to take a job with the state Department of Human Services starting on Monday, the department announced.

The governor's office confirmed Friday that the House seat shall be left vacant until Rep.-elect Megan Godfrey, a Democrat, is sworn in Jan. 14. Godfrey defeated Williams in his bid for a second term.

Williams is joining the department's Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs as Deputy Chief of Legislative Affairs, according to any agency announcement. The Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs works with legislators and others to address constituent concerns or questions regarding DHS policies and programs.

Kelley Linck, chief of the legislative affairs office, cited Williams' range of experience and record of negotiating solutions to challenging topics in the Legislature as reasons for his hiring. For instance, Williams was the lead Arkansas House sponsor on a resolution encouraging the state to offer ARKids First state-sponsored health coverage to children who lawfully migrate to the United States from the Marshall Islands.

NW News on 12/01/2018

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