Steven Potter:
Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate, Darrell Williams thank you for joining us.

Darrell Williams:
Hey, thank you. It's my honor to be here today.

Steven Potter:
So you're a State Emergency Management Administrator and an Army Veteran. Why do you want to be a U.S. senator?

Darrell Williams:
Well I think in this day and time, it's really important that we have somebody with some knowledge, skills, and experience in the areas that's really critical to us at this point in time. I believe that the education of our kids is paramount at this point in time especially when we're trying to be competitive. Especially as we bounce back from COVID-19. I spent 26 years in education. I was a teacher, principal, turnaround principal and was selected national principal of the year and interim superintendent of schools. I completed my education. I have a bachelor's in education, master's in administration and a Ph.D. in urban education. I joined the Army when I was 16 years old. I spent 29 years in the military with many years spent right here in our own Wisconsin National Guard. I received, I spent two years in the combat zone in Iraq and Afghanistan. As an administrator of Wisconsin Emergency Management. I was appointed to that role by Governor Evers. That is the lead state agency that deals with all natural and manmade disasters. It also serves as a heartbeat of the COVID-19 response and also all civil unrest action here within the state. For me, this is not a matter of election where this is the name, you know of the person who has the most money. This is about someone with some knowledge, skills and background in those particular areas and someone who can work with people at the national level and get us the best results right here within the state of Wisconsin.

Steven Potter:
Okay. If elected, what would your legislative priorities be?

Darrell Williams:
I'm really concerned about the whole issue with Roe v. Wade because I'm one who really believes in the woman's right to choose. Also, I think it's important that we look at the Homeland Security of this nation and what we do for our veterans. And you will not find a stronger candidate and a stronger advocate for veterans’ issues than myself. And the other side of the coin, teachers. As we are trying to bounce back from COVID-19, teachers in all across the nation especially here in the state of Wisconsin they are the heartbeat of our growth. And we also have to look at the issues that people brought up during the George Floyd situation. The whole issue of Black Lives Matter. You're looking at someone who truly supports law enforcement to the fullest. But we also, whenever we talk about Black Lives Matter, I know that all lives matter, but Black lives can't matter until they are a part of all.

Steven Potter:
You touched on the economy a bit. Inflation has reached a 40-year high. How should federal lawmakers address inflation?

Darrell Williams:
Not only just the price of food, but the price of healthy foods when especially those who are trying to be healthy and so forth and improve their longevity and so forth. It's very expensive. We have got to address those particular issues. I know that one of the issues that is on the table is the whole legalization of, for example like marijuana, to try to address and try to curtail and try to help ease the burden on some of these issues. And I'm one that fully supports the legalization of marijuana to help with our roles, to help deal with some of these tax issues.

Steven Potter:
President Joe Biden recently signed new gun control measures into law. How would you address gun violence as a senator?

Darrell Williams:
I'm not new to gun violence. I've seen that unfortunately, kids they bring guns to school and we have to deal with it. Fortunately, we haven't had the mass shooting. But we have to make sure that we have great plans in place. I am a person who believes in the right to bear arms, but I do believe that there are too many guns getting in the hands of people who should not have them. It should not be that easy for kids to get guns. I don't believe that kids need a semiautomatic weapon to go deer hunting or rabbit hunting or squirrel hunting. I don't believe that. And I do believe that we need to make sure that that the age is increased. I believe we need gun safety. I don't believe an 18-year-old kid should be able to go and buy a gun. I do not believe that teachers need guns inside of schools. I do not believe that administrators need guns inside of schools. I understand it's a very touchy issue but we have got to, and it requires much more discussion but I don't believe that we need them inside of our schools as well.

Steven Potter:
On a matter of trust and elections, how would you reassure Wisconsin voters to have confidence in the electoral system?

Darrell Williams:
We have got to allow the people of Wisconsin to hear the voices of everybody who's on that ballot so that they can make an informed decision. I've seen the results of the Marquette Poll. And the thing about it is this. There's 48 there was 48% of people who said, they're not comfortable with the people who are necessarily being highlighted. And they're undecided at this particular point. So that says there's 48% of the voters out there who just don't know at this point. And the only way that they're going to know is that we give them the opportunity to hear the voices. And that's the fairest way for everybody to make an informed decision. I think that gives people an opportunity to build trust, I think that builds trust. Whether you have a million dollars or a dime, everybody has one vote and everybody wants their voice to count. Whether you are living in the richest part of River Hills or the poorest part of Iron County they want their voice to count.

Steven Potter:
Senator Ron Johnson has been elected twice. Why are you the Democrat who can beat him in the general election in November?

Darrell Williams:
What I've found as I've traveled the state of Wisconsin is that people want somebody who's really going to represent them. This is not about race. Sometimes it's about class. Sometimes it's about just wanting someone to do the right thing by Wisconsinites all over this state. And that's what I'm about. I don't look at everything as black and white but I do look at things and say what is right and wrong with this situation here. And that's the approach that I take whenever I go all across this state.

Steven Potter:
Darrell Williams. Thank you so much for joining us.

Darrell Williams:
Sir, thank you. It's been my honor and my pleasure.