Williams ‘humbled’ to be appointed SOE

Howard ‘Rusty’ Williams has always wanted to serve his community so when he got the call that he had been appointed as the new Holmes County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) he knew he had accomplished his goal.

Williams served multiple terms on the Bonifay City Council and two terms on the Holmes County School Board but had the end goal of becoming SOE, a goal he reached in August.

While in this office, Williams wants to improve voter turnout by educating and informing voters on candidates, amendments and referendums to allow them the knowledge they need to cast their votes. 

‘I am a believer in an open-door policy,’ said Williams. ‘We want to serve our community to the best of our ability. I am big on customer service, so I want people to call or stop by with any questions they may have about a candidate or anything to do with an election. Voters should go to the polls with the knowledge they need to cast their ballot with confidence; we want to help them do just that.’

Williams left behind his job of 16 years at the Florida Department of Transportation to take on the SOE office where he says his entire staff has been amazing.

‘The staff here have been so helpful and are extremely knowledgeable,’ said Williams. ‘Fellow Supervisors have reached out to me and have also been very helpful. This is government and it should run efficiently. We are working to make the election process as seamless as possible.’

The previous SOE Therisa Meadows retired in June after serving Holmes County in various positions for more than 25 years. Williams says she served Holmes County well.

‘Therisa left some big shoes for me to fill,’ Williams said. ‘I hope to do as great in this job for the people of Holmes County.’

The office of the Supervisor of Elections will be up for election in November 2024; Williams says he fully intends to run when the time comes.

The first big election for the new SOE will be held in March for the presidential primary.