Dr. Doreen Williams announced Friday she is running for the Post 2 Commission seat as a Democratic candidate.

Williams, a recently retired educator and current chair of the Rockdale Democratic Party, said when she heard Katrina Young was stepping down from a bid for the Post 2 Commission seat, “I thought I should step up and run for that.”

“I think I bring a new perspective and thoughtful perspective,” Williams said in an interview with The News. “I think one of my strengths is critical analysis and thinking things through and looking at all the possibilities and trying to problem solve.”

Williams, a 20-year resident of Rockdale, said she would also bring her experience as the owner of a small business for eight years, her 30 years of teaching experience and her background in numerous leadership roles to the Post 2 position.

Williams said, in a released statement, that she would like to see increased efforts for economic development, the adoption and implementation of a long-range strategic plan, and the coordination of educational courses needed for businesses looking at coming to Rockdale County. 

“Another area of interest is budget negotiations, making certain that the needs of each department are carefully considered and a long-range strategic plan created and implemented for each department,” she said in the statement.

Williams previously ran for District 92 State Representative in a five-way primary race in 2012 and lost the runoff against Tonya Anderson, who had about 51 percent of the votes while Williams had about 49 percent.

“The thing I learned most from that (experience) is people want a government and elected official who is available and accessible. I knocked on hundreds and hundreds of doors. People liked that. They liked having a one on one relationship.”

Williams, if she wins the Democratic nomination, would face two-term incumbent Commissioner JaNice Van Ness.

Williams serves as a member and the Secretary/Treasurer of the Board of Directors for View Point Health, an organization that administers the mental health system for Gwinnett, Rockdale, and Newton counties under the Georgia State Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. She also serves as co-chair for the statewide Georgia Federation of Democratic Women’s Mental Health Committee. Williams is currently serving as the Public Affairs Director for parts of the Rockdale, Newton, Gwinnett, and Henry county areas of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

She and her husband John have been married for 39 years and have five children and nine grandchildren.

For more information, email electdr.doreenwilliams@gmail.com