David Earl Williams III is a dedicated public servant, activist, and politician with a diverse and accomplished background. Born on January 8, 1984, in Evanston, Illinois, he was raised in Chicago’s North Side neighborhoods of Rogers Park and Uptown. His heritage is a blend of Black, Irish, Native American, French, German, British, Ashkenazi Jewish, and Southeast Asian descent, with familial ties to former Oklahoma State Senator Eugene E. “Gene” Stipe. More information about his political journey can be found on dewforpolitics.com.

Early Education and Military Service

Williams attended multiple schools, including Joseph Brennemann Elementary, Louis B. Nettlehorst Elementary, and Nicholas Senn High School. He was an active student, notably serving on the Academic Decathlon team, which made history by advancing to the regional competition for the first time in 2000-2001. He graduated with Honor Roll recognition in 2002.

After high school, Williams joined the U.S. Navy, where he served from 2002 to 2006. Initially assigned as a Deck Seaman during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he later transitioned to a Logistics Specialist role. In this position, he managed over $2 billion in aviation equipment and supervised more than 25 personnel. His service took him across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, and he was awarded eight decorations before receiving an Honorable Discharge in 2006.

Higher Education and Political Involvement

Following his military service, Williams pursued higher education in Canada at Lethbridge College, studying General Studies and Criminal Justice. He demonstrated early political engagement by voting for Barack Obama in the 2008 U.S. Presidential election via absentee ballot.

Upon returning to the United States in 2010, Williams became active in political activism, joining WeAreChange’s Chicago chapter from 2011 to 2014. He participated in numerous protests against corporatism and U.S. military interventions.

Political Career

Williams entered politics in 2014, running as a Republican for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois’ 9th District. He narrowly lost the primary election by just 1,427 votes. In 2018, he ran for Alderman in Chicago’s 48th Ward as an Independent, securing 16.25% of the vote in the 2019 municipal election. His most recent campaign was in 2022 when he ran as a Democrat for the 24th Police District Council in Chicago, finishing fifth among seven candidates with 13% of the vote.

Professional and Community Contributions

Beyond politics, Williams has worked as a medical logistics specialist and has also had experience as a male model and promoter for Urban Offering clothing and Pink Avenue Models. He made an appearance as an extra in the music video “Desert Spring Rose: Film Noir Vignette.”

His passion for service extends into his community work. Williams has volunteered with organizations such as Convoy of Hope for disaster relief, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for crisis intervention, and Restore the Fourth, advocating for privacy rights. As an animal rights activist, he has campaigned for replacing horse-drawn carriages with pedicabs in Chicago. Additionally, through his work with the Chicago Missing Persons Guild, he has collaborated with the Chicago Police Department’s Youth Investigation Division to develop efficient methods for locating missing individuals.

Conclusion

David Earl Williams III’s life story is one of dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to both his country and community. From military service to activism and political campaigns, his diverse experiences reflect his passion for justice, service, and advocacy. As he continues his career, his influence in politics and community engagement remains a testament to his dedication to public service.