Josh Williams

District 44
Chamber House
Political Party Republican
https://ohiohouse.gov/members/josh-williams

State Representative Josh Williams is an incredible example of the power of persistence, hope, and determination. He went from a homeless high school dropout to an attorney, but there were a lot of challenges and obstacles along the way.

After dropping out of high school, he went to work to support his young son. He was hurt on the job after falling 30 feet and was disabled for six years because of a serious back injury. Josh credited a change in his mindset as motivation to overcome his injury. He dedicated to stop looking at himself as a victim of his circumstances. Josh says his mindset went from "Why Me?" to "Why Not Me?"

After getting his GED, Josh started college at the age of 30. By the time he was 35, he was graduating from law school. Josh is a shining example of hard work and determination paying off. Josh's journey from high school drop out to attorney at law has shaped his view of society and has inspired him to overcome any challenge he faces.

After graduating from the University of Toledo College of Law with his juris doctorate (J.D.) Josh decided to give back and help shape our youth by teaching at Adrian College. He currently teaches constitutional law, criminal law, and criminal procedure in the undergraduate criminal justice programs.

Enjoying a career as a successful attorney and professor, Josh still felt a pull to do more for his local community in Lucas County. With a unique perspective on the problems facing Toledo, Josh decided to run for the Ohio House of Representatives to make the voice of his community heard in the capital. 

As a State Representative, Josh is pursuing reform in all the areas that affect Lucas County residents most: workforce development, education and criminal justice. 

District Map

Committee Membership

General Assembly
Committee
Add immigration status as a required factor for sentencing, bail
General Assembly 136
Number H. B. No. 282
Type House Bill
Committee Judiciary
Adopt the 1905 Wright Flyer III as the state airplane
General Assembly 136
Number S. B. No. 24
Type Senate Bill
Committee Transportation
Adopt the Legislative Code of Ethics
General Assembly 136
Number S. C. R. No. 4
Type Senate Concurrent Resolution
Committee
Allow alternative rate plans for certain natural gas companies
General Assembly 136
Number S. B. No. 103
Type Senate Bill
Committee Public Utilities
Allow alternative rate plans for certain natural gas companies
General Assembly 136
Number S. B. No. 103
Type Senate Bill
Committee Energy
Allow employers to post certain labor law notices on the internet
General Assembly 136
Number H. B. No. 94
Type House Bill
Committee Commerce and Labor
Allow employers to post certain labor law notices on the internet
General Assembly 136
Number S. B. No. 33
Type Senate Bill
Committee Commerce and Labor
Allow felony defendants to request indictment by open grand jury
General Assembly 136
Number H. B. No. 527
Type House Bill
Committee Judiciary
Allow for the waiver of peace officer refresher training
General Assembly 136
Number H. B. No. 559
Type House Bill
Committee Public Safety
1

Recent Votes

General Assembly
Committee
Designate Deputy Daniel "Weston" Sherrer Memorial Highway
General Assembly 136
Number H. B. No. 541
Type House Bill
Committee Transportation
Vote Yes
Vote Date 2/25/2026
Vote Result Passed
Regards custody of children who cannot be released to a parent
General Assembly 136
Number H. B. No. 532
Type House Bill
Committee Children and Human Services
Vote Yes
Vote Date 2/25/2026
Vote Result Passed
Regards voter approval of municipal income tax reciprocity credit
General Assembly 136
Number H. B. No. 503
Type House Bill
Committee Ways and Means
Vote Yes
Vote Date 2/25/2026
Vote Result Passed
Designate a school JROTC program as a career-technical ed program
General Assembly 136
Number H. B. No. 500
Type House Bill
Committee Education
Vote Yes
Vote Date 2/25/2026
Vote Result Passed
Regards physician supervision of imaging contrast administration
General Assembly 136
Number H. B. No. 479
Type House Bill
Committee Health
Vote Yes
Vote Date 2/25/2026
Vote Result Passed
Remove residency requirements for certain city director positions
General Assembly 136
Number H. B. No. 428
Type House Bill
Committee Local Government
Vote Yes
Vote Date 2/25/2026
Vote Result Passed
Create the small defense business linked deposit program
General Assembly 136
Number H. B. No. 332
Type House Bill
Committee Small Business
Vote Yes
Vote Date 2/25/2026
Vote Result Passed
Modify excavation requirements
General Assembly 136
Number H. B. No. 227
Type House Bill
Committee Commerce and Labor
Vote Yes
Vote Date 2/25/2026
Vote Result Passed
Require hospitals to provide overdose reversal drugs
General Assembly 136
Number S. B. No. 137
Type Senate Bill
Committee Health
Vote Yes
Vote Date 2/25/2026
Vote Result Passed
1