Thomas David Williams, also known as Tommy Williams (born December 17, 1956), is an American politician who served as the interim president of Texas A&M University from 2025 to 2026. A member of the Republican Party, he served in both chambers of the Texas Legislature from 1997 to 2013.
Background Williams was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2002, after incumbent District 4 Senator David Bernsen, a Democrat, declined to seek re-election after redistricting changed the composition of the district. (Bernsen instead ran unsuccessfully for Texas Land Commissioner, losing that race to Jerry E. Patterson.)Jeorge Zarazua. "Bernsen wins Demo race for land commissioner." Beaumont Enterprise. March 12, 2002. Accessed April 4, 2018.
After more than ten years in office, Williams, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, was in October 2013 in the process of resigning, to accept a government relations position at his alma mater, Texas A&M University in College Station. On October 3, Williams confirmed that he would not run again in the Republican primary election scheduled for March 4, 2014.
Williams previously served three terms from 1997 to 2003 in the Texas House of Representatives. Williams has served as president of Woodforest Financial Services, an affiliate of Woodforest National Bank. Williams started his new position at Texas A&M on December 2, 2013.Stewart, Katy. Retired state senator joins Texas A&M leadership, Houston Business Journal, November 1, 2013.
Among those seeking to fill Williams' Senate seat were neighboring State Representatives Steve Toth of District 15 in The Woodlands and Brandon Creighton of District 16 in Conroe, both of Montgomery County. Creighton defeated Toth in a runoff election to claim the seat.
On October 3, 2025, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents unanimously approved Tommy Williams as interim president of Texas A&M University.
Election results
Most recent election
2004
Previous elections
2002
2000
1998
1996
References
External links Senate of Texas - Senator Tommy Williams Tommy Williams Texas Senator campaign website Project Vote Smart - Senator Tommy Williams (TX) profile Follow the Money - Tommy Williams 2006 2004 2002 2000 1998 campaign contributions