Mary Williams

Mary Williams is the Democratic candidate for Kansas House of Representatives District 47 in the November 3, 2026 general election, running against Republican Paula Newell Ellis in a race with no incumbent.[1][2] In a Ballotpedia survey, she described herself as a teacher who has been in education for 25 years.[3]

Williams was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, and earned an associate degree from Highland Community College in 1993, a bachelor's degree from Washburn University in 2002 and a graduate degree from Emporia State University in 2011, according to Ballotpedia.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, she said she has lived in Jefferson County her entire life, raised her children there, and has worked in education for 43 years in roles including school secretary and treasurer, preschool and daycare provider, and para-educator before teaching.[3]

In the survey, Williams named affordability, a well-funded public education system, full funding of special education, and property tax relief as her key messages.[3] She said public funds should not go to private education, and that she received endorsements in a previous election from groups including the AFL-CIO and KNEA.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.