John
"Drew" Williams
Democratic challenger to Rep. James Comer in Kentucky's 1st Congressional District; boat dock builder and Benton native.
- sources
- 15
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 3
Background
John "Drew" Williams is a Democratic candidate challenging incumbent Republican Representative James Comer in Kentucky's 1st Congressional District in the November 2026 general election. 1214 He won the Democratic nomination in the May 2026 primary. 16
Williams is a construction worker who builds boat docks and marinas in his family business on Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and surrounding states—work he says he has done since age 14. 28 He was born and raised in Western Kentucky and is identified as a Benton native. 108 He earned a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in biology from Murray State University in 2016. 8
Williams has previously sought office, running in the 2018 Democratic primary for Kentucky House District 6, where he finished third. Records also show candidacies for Benton City Council in 2018 and 2020, though he has not been identified as having held elected office. 19
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, Kentucky
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- williamsforky.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Date unknownendorsementWilliams receives endorsements from UAW, Kentucky AFL-CIO, and several PACs
A voter-guide profile lists endorsements from the United Auto Workers, Kentucky AFL-CIO, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, New Power PAC, DC Statehood PAC, and Epstein Justice. Endorsement dates were not provided in the source.
John "Drew" Williams - Voter Guide · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8newsWilliams outlines top legislative priorities in Courier Journal candidate questionnaire
The Courier Journal published Williams's answers to a candidate questionnaire. He named ending political profiteering as his top priority, cited 40+ regulatory bills on data centers and AI, supported continued aid to Ukraine and Israel, backed term limits, and proposed housing measures including micro-village grants.
Who's running for Congress in KY? Meet candidates in 2026 election · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29newsWilliams campaign schedules Webster County meet-and-greet
Williams's campaign website listed a Webster County meet-and-greet for September 29. The source confirms the event was scheduled but does not report on attendance or remarks made.
John “Drew” Williams for U.S. House (KY-01) | Williams for KY · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 27newsWilliams calls on Congress to vote on Iran war-powers withdrawal resolution
In an emailed statement summarized by DisputeIndex, Williams called for Congress to vote on a war-powers resolution to withdraw U.S. forces from Iran immediately, arguing continued military engagement requires congressional authorization.
Iran War · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26newsWilliams speaks at Marshall County Democrats 'Rock the Vote' event
WPSD reported that Williams spoke at a Marshall County Democrats Rock the Vote event, discussing the event's role in introducing local candidates and encouraging voter participation.
Marshall County Democrats encourage public to get out and 'Rock the Vote' · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 1newsWilliams speaks at 146th annual Fancy Farm Picnic
Williams appeared at the 146th annual St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic on August 1, according to a photo caption in the Courier Journal's candidate guide.
Who's running for Congress in KY? Meet candidates in 2026 election · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30newsWilliams raised $118,755 and had $20,182 cash on hand through Q2 2026
FEC-based summaries show Williams raised $118,755, spent $98,532, and had $20,182 cash on hand through the second quarter of 2026 (as of June 30). These are cumulative figures and do not reflect later fundraising activity.
Kentucky's 1st District Race 2026: Who's Running (KY-1) · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 19filingWilliams wins Democratic primary to become KY-01 nominee
Kentucky held its primary election on May 19, 2026. By October, Williams was confirmed as the Democratic nominee for Kentucky's 1st Congressional District, challenging incumbent Republican James Comer in the November 3 general election.
KY-01 voting record - James Comer - SeatLedger · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- United Auto Workers (UAW) unionListed as endorsed by UAW in iVoterGuide voter profile; same profile identifies a 2026 UAW contribution. No UAW announcement specifically naming Williams was found, so this is less directly documented. ivoterguide.com
- New Power PAC organizationListed Williams among its 2026 primary endorsements; page notes he was unopposed and would advance to the general election. No specific announcement date given. newpowerky.org
- Kentucky State AFL-CIO union2026 endorsements page lists 'John Williams' for U.S. Representative, District 1. No individual endorsement date given. ky.aflcio.org
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $119K
- Spent
- $99K
- Cash on hand
- $20K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6KY01169(opens in a new tab)
Sources 15
- [1] John "Drew" Williams - Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] ky.aflcio.org › 2026-endorsements2026 Endorsements | Kentucky State AFL-CIO(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [3] Who's running for Congress in KY? Meet candidates in 2026 election(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [4] Who's running for Congress in KY? Meet candidates in 2026 election(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [5] John “Drew” Williams for U.S. House (KY-01) | Williams for KY(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [6] John “Drew” Williams for U.S. House (KY-01) | Williams for KY(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [7] Kentucky's 1st District Race 2026: Who's Running (KY-1)(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [8] 2026 Primary Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [9] John “Drew” Williams for U.S. House (KY-01) | Williams for KY(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [10] Marshall County Democrats encourage public to get out and 'Rock the Vote'(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [11] Iran War(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [12] KY-01 voting record - James Comer - SeatLedger(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
- [13] Kentucky Edition | August 31, 2026 | Season 5 | Episode 44(opens in a new tab) Aug 31, 2026
- [14] Drew Williams — 2026 Kentucky's 1st Congressional District ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 29, 2026
- [15] Drew Williams kicks off "hail mary" congressional campaign against ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2025