Thelda Williams
Encyclopedia
Thelda Williams is an American
politician
, former interim mayor
of and current councilwoman
in the city of Phoenix
, Arizona
.
Williams, who had served on the Phoenix city council since 1989, was selected by the council to serve as an interim mayor of the city on March 29, 1994, following the resignation of former mayor Paul Johnson
. Johnson, who was announcing his candidacy for the office of governor
, was forced to resign his position due to state requirements forbidding current officeholders from seeking another office except in the last year of their term. Coincidentally, Johnson had first been elevated to the office of mayor under similar circumstances when former mayor Terry Goddard
had resigned his office to run for governor in 1990.
Williams chose not to seek election to the office of mayor during the 1994 special election, and resumed her duties as councilwoman on November 3, 1994. Williams chose to challenge the new incumbent Skip Rimsza
for the office during the regular elections in 1995 but was defeated; having not run for reelection in her council seat, she left the city council in 1996. Williams chose to run for a new term in 2007 and was elected to a new four-year term on the Phoenix city council on September 11, 2007.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, former interim mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of and current councilwoman
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
in the city of Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
Williams, who had served on the Phoenix city council since 1989, was selected by the council to serve as an interim mayor of the city on March 29, 1994, following the resignation of former mayor Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson (politician)
Paul Johnson is an American Democratic politician and the former mayor of Phoenix, Arizona.Johnson was first elected to the Phoenix city council in 1985 at the age of 25...
. Johnson, who was announcing his candidacy for the office of governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
, was forced to resign his position due to state requirements forbidding current officeholders from seeking another office except in the last year of their term. Coincidentally, Johnson had first been elevated to the office of mayor under similar circumstances when former mayor Terry Goddard
Terry Goddard
Samuel Pearson "Terry" Goddard III was the Attorney General of Arizona, from 2003 to 2011, who also served as Mayor of Phoenix, Arizona from 1984 to 1990....
had resigned his office to run for governor in 1990.
Williams chose not to seek election to the office of mayor during the 1994 special election, and resumed her duties as councilwoman on November 3, 1994. Williams chose to challenge the new incumbent Skip Rimsza
Skip Rimsza
Anton "Skip" Rimsza is an American politician and former mayor of Phoenix, Arizona.- Biography :Rimsza was sworn in as mayor on November 4, 1994 following a special election held on October 25 to replace outgoing interim mayor Thelda Williams...
for the office during the regular elections in 1995 but was defeated; having not run for reelection in her council seat, she left the city council in 1996. Williams chose to run for a new term in 2007 and was elected to a new four-year term on the Phoenix city council on September 11, 2007.