Jack Williams (American politician)

Jack Williams
13th Governor of Arizona
In office
January 2, 1967 – January 6, 1975
Preceded bySamuel Pearson Goddard Jr.
Succeeded byRaúl H. Castro
47th Mayor of Phoenix
In office
January 3, 1956 – January 4, 1960
Preceded byFrank G. Murphy
Succeeded bySam Mardian
Personal details
Born
John Richard Williams

(1909-10-29)October 29, 1909
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedAugust 24, 1998(1998-08-24) (aged 88)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Vera May
(m. 1942; died 1997)
Alma materPhoenix College
Profession

John Richard Williams (October 29, 1909 – August 24, 1998) was an American radio announcer and politician. After gaining public recognition throughout Arizona because of his work in radio, he went on to become a two-term mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, and a three-term governor of Arizona. A constitutional amendment, approved by Arizona voters in 1968, resulted in Williams serving eight years as governor and being the first governor of Arizona to serve a four-year term.

As mayor of Phoenix, Williams led efforts to grow the city that produced a series of annexations and construction of new governmental buildings. As governor he focused primarily on economic development within the state. His final term as governor was marred by a recall effort, led by Cesar Chavez, in response to his signing of a farm labor bill into law.