Morristown Democrat Launches Candidacy For Congress

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A Morristown woman has officially announced her campaign for Congress to represent the 11th District.

Anna Lee Williams will be running as a Democrat to represent NJ-11, which is currently represented by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill. The Morristown resident emphasized her commitment to give New Jersey residents “a fair deal.”

“I'm not a politician. I'm a normal person who understands what it’s like to worry about rent, about healthcare, about whether your parents, or even you, can afford to retire,” Williams said in a statement. “This campaign is about delivering a Fair Deal to the people who keep our communities running, but are getting squeezed from every direction.”

Raised in South Plainfield in a Vietnamese-Italian American home, Williams was the first in her family to graduate from college. She attended Rutgers University, studying political science and anthropology.

She’s worked in several nonprofit capacities since graduating, including with Make the Road NJ and Vietnamese Boat People, to “help immigrants understand their rights and build a community that honors the stories of the Vietnamese diaspora.”

She’s also worked in private sector social impact programs to support causes including children's access to education, training for small business owners, and mentorship for young professionals, a statement read.

Her volunteer resume includes work with Girls in Gear, a nonprofit that helps boost young ladies’ confidence through biking, and the Interfaith Food Pantry of Morris County.

Some of Williams’ priorities if elected include education, retirement, accessible healthcare, transportation, worker protection, and eliminating corruption.

Some elements of Williams’ Fair Deal include:

• Making trade schools and community college tuition free
• Lowering the retirement age to 62
• Eliminating tax on tips
• Increase the federal minimum wage
• Expanding family and parental work leave
• Banning private stock trading for Congress members
• Modernizing public transportation
• Implementing congressional term limits

Williams is the first Democrat to announce a run for Congress, with many hesitant to announce their campaign if Sherrill loses the governor's election and keeps her seat in Congress.

The 11th district consists of Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Denville Township, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover Township, Harding Township, Jefferson Township, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Township (part; also 7th), Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany–Troy Hills, Pequannock Township, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway, Rockaway Township, and Victory Gardens.

“This campaign isn’t about me,” Williams said. “It’s about all of us — and the promise that if you keep your side of the bargain, your government should keep theirs. That’s the Fair Deal.”

Click here to learn more about Williams and her campaign.