Andy Williams Jr.

Andy Williams Jr. was born in Aurora, Illinois. He earned a high school diploma from East Aurora High School, additional education from Lewis University in 1991, a bachelor's degree from Northwestern College in 2010, and a graduate degree from Lewis University in 2012. His career experience includes working as a teacher, advocate, and minister. Williams has been affiliated with Revolutionary Republicans, the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments, the National Conference of Black Lawyers, and the National Association of Attorneys General.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Andy is a Justice Advocate, Social Entrepreneur, and

Conservative Political Activist dedicated to empowering people and transforming systems. Once directly impacted by incarceration, he has turned his lived experience into leadership—championing

second chances, judicial and prosecutorial accountability, and equitable communities. Andy is the founder of AWJ Ministries, a ministry dedicated to liberating individuals from mental, physical, and spiritual bondage.

Andy serves as the Director of Litigation, Advocacy, and Strategy at For the People, LLC, a public interest law firm committed to justice.

He has twice pursued the U.S. presidency—first as a Libertarian candidate in 2020 and again as an Independent in 2024—guided by his unwavering mission to advance freedom and liberation by any means necessary.

Andy is the co-founder of transformative movements such as the National Coalition for Prisoner Voting Rights and the Revolutionary Republicans. In 2021, he led a groundbreaking legal challenge in the Northern District of Illinois as a Private Attorney General, confronting the Thirteenth Amendment's lingering ties to slavery.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Our rights come from natures God and a creator, not the government.We the people have the power. The role of the government is to serve the people.It's time for a new government that is is the right of the people as written in the Declaration of Independence.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Religious Freedom, Parental Rights, and the right to bear arms for self defense.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

It is one of the cornerstone components of the government and legal system. The Attorney General is the chief legal officer for the people's rights.

The National Association of Attorneys General has described the office as being at the "intersection of law and public policy." What does that mean to you?

Law and public policy are two interconnected, yet fundamentally distinct, domains that shape the fabric of our society. Law is the foundation and public policy is to ensure that government does not violate or infringe upon the people's rights.

The attorney general often sets policy priorities for law enforcement. For example, a state's attorney general may decide to dedicate extra resources to combat human trafficking. Are there certain areas of law enforcement that you would emphasize?

Official misconduct.

A state's attorney general has many responsibilities. Which of those do you personally consider the most important?

Protecting the rights of the people.

Attorneys general can represent their states in legal conflicts with the federal government. Do you consider this an important part of an attorney general's responsibilities?

Yes. Our states should be sovereign and the Federal Government has limited authority over the states.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for a state's attorney general to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes. In my situation, from a layman's perspective.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Christ. I follow Christ because that's how I became conscious of self.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Uphold their oath or affirmation to support and defend the constitution.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Be an advocate for the people, protect their rights, and follow the law.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A man of the people who was wise, just, and fair.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Went to Germany. I was seven.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

A paperboy. Five years

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Autobiography of Malcolm X. I love his self determination and liberation for all people once he left Mecca.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

He-Man

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Overcoming other peoples opinion of me.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Sheriff James Mendrick, Chain o Lakes, Jim Raab, Edward Lapinski, Stewart Rhodes, Cedric Frison, Jodi Rabich, Juanita Hernandez, Becky Nelson, Tyrone Muhammad just to name a few.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

Yes. The signature requirement.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

Yes. One lady signed my petition because of the color of my skin. She said there needs to be more people of color who are open conservatives in Illinois

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Believing that I can do anything I put my mind to.

What do you think was the most important SCOTUS decision made in the past decade?

Trump v. Anderson

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Andy Williams Jr is an abolitionist, minister, and teacher. Born in Aurora, Illinois, he dropped out of high school and took up residency at the Illinois Department of Corrections. Determined to improve himself, Andy moved on to Lewis University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies. On July 1, 2021, Andy filed a claim against the United States and 30 states seeking an injunction against the practice of low-pay and unpaid prison labor and a judicial declaration that the exception for prison labor in the Thirteenth Amendment’s prohibition on slavery is unconstitutional. On July 3, 2023, Andy Williams announced his campaign for President running on the We Are the People Party platform with a message of unity and restoring hope and power back to the people.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

We need to restore our Constitutional RepublicWe need government accountabilityWe need to Abolish Prisons and institute restorative justice.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Repealing all unconstitutional acts, limiting the role of government, and protecting the rights of the people.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Fredrick Douglas

Tony Evans

Mike Murdock

Larry Hoover Sr.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Jesus and Buddha as Brothers

From Gangster Disciple to Growth and Development, The Blue Print

How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie

Brainwashed-Tom Burrell

Rebuild the Dream Van Jones

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Be concerned with what is right, not popular. Be focused on the next generation, not the next election.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a principled man who believes in dong unto others as you would have them do to you, now what they have done to you.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Serve all the people and protect their rights from government, corporate, and religious oppression.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Andy truly and genuinely cared about people. He could see the good in anyone.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Went to Germany when I was seven.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Paperboy-Three years

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Autobiography of Malcolm X- His life is a testament to redemption and hope when one removes the bias from their eyes.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Jesus

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Born for This-The Score

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Overcoming fear of failure.

Tell us your favorite joke.

You so ugly they had to tie a porkchop around your neck so the dog would play with you.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Maximus Parthas-Abolish Slavery National Network

Prison Lives Matter