About Ray Williams
Ray Williams grew up between Illinois and Indiana. Born into a middle-class family, he experienced firsthand the hardships many families faced during the 2008 recession. As a young boy, he watched his parents make difficult financial decisions to keep their family afloat. Those experiences shaped his belief that government should work for everyday people and that strong leadership can make a real difference in people's lives.
After moving to Indiana, Ray lived in Anderson before eventually settling in Lafayette. Following his homeschooling education, he attended Ivy Tech Community College to make higher education more affordable before continuing his studies at Bethel University (formerly Bethel College) in Mishawaka, where he earned a degree in Applied Political Science.
While attending Bethel, Ray began his career in public service by working on a campaign for Penn Township Trustee. The following year, he joined Jake Teshka's successful 2019 reelection campaign for South Bend City Council and also served in Congresswoman Jackie Walorski's district office. In 2020, he returned to work on both Congresswoman Walorski's campaign and Jake Teshka's successful campaign for the Indiana House of Representatives.
In 2021, Ray joined the Indiana House Republican Caucus as a Legislative Assistant, serving Representatives Thomas Saunders, Jeff Ellington, David Abbott, and Bruce Borders. This role gave him a firsthand understanding of how state government operates and how legislation is developed. He worked closely with multiple state agencies to help resolve a wide range of constituent concerns—from environmental issues and medical assistance to securing grants for historic preservation and protecting after-school programs. Like a township trustee, Ray learned that solving problems often begins with knowing who to call and how to bring the right people together.
Following his time at the Statehouse, Ray served as Regional Field Director for U.S. Senator Todd Young's reelection campaign. In that position, he partnered with county commissioners, party leaders, elected officials, and community organizations throughout Indiana to build coalitions, organize volunteers, and engage voters. It reinforced his belief that lasting solutions come from bringing communities together rather than dividing them.Ray later had the opportunity to work directly for Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch as her Assistant. Working one-on-one with the Lieutenant Governor gave him a unique perspective on how Indiana's executive branch addresses statewide challenges. He witnessed efforts to expand broadband access by coordinating with telecommunications providers, supported discussions on rural economic development and infrastructure, and saw firsthand how state leaders collaborate with local communities to solve complex problems.
Most recently, Ray served Tippecanoe County as the appointed Elections Administrator and Voter Registration Co-Coordinator. Working closely with the County Clerk, he helped administer elections, manage voter registration, coordinate with election vendors, oversee polling locations, recruit and train poll workers, maintain election equipment, and ensure every election was conducted fairly, accurately, and efficiently. His work strengthened his commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust.
Over nearly eight years of public service, Ray has built the experience, relationships, and leadership skills needed to serve Fairfield Township effectively. He understands the challenges facing local government and knows how to work with county, state, and federal partners to deliver real results for residents.
Ray believes township government should be transparent, accountable, and focused on serving its people. He is ready to roll up his sleeves, bring people together, and unite Fairfield Township for a stronger future.