After calling the soon-to-be open congressional seat in Alabama’s 6th district a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for individuals with aspirations of serving in the U.S. House, State Rep. Jack Williams, R-Vestavia, announced today that he’s decided to run for re-election to the state house rather than aiming for D.C.

His entire statement is below:

Congressman Spencer Bachus announced on Monday he will not seek reelection in the 2014 election cycle. Speculation began immediately regarding who would emerge as candidates to replace Congressman Bachus. I have been honored and flattered that my name was among those mentioned as a possible replacement.

After conversations with my family, friends and supporters I have concluded that I will not be a candidate for Congress in 2014. My intentions are to seek reelection to the Alabama House of Representatives.

Congressman Bachus has served our district well since his election to the House in 1992. I have been proud to call him my friend for more than 25 years. He has been a mentor, an encourager and a supporter of mine since he took office and I am very grateful for his leadership, friendship and support. He has left big shoes to fill in the 6th Congressional District, but I’m not the person to fill those shoes.

I appreciate the encouragement and support offered by others and I believe we could have waged a successful campaign – but in the end my heart was here continuing to represent the voters of House District 47. I do not want to lose focus of the importance of keeping this seat in the hands of a business oriented conservative who understands the importance of solid, stable, low-tax, pro business climate.

The Alabama legislature is reforming our state. I want to continue to be a part of those successes. Washington needs help – but I love what I am doing and I feel it would be a step away from my goals to pursue another office at this point.

As Chairman of the Commerce and Small Business Committee in the House, it has been my privilege to be a part of some major changes in our state that have helped make Alabama a state with an outstanding business climate. We have streamlined sales tax payments for businesses with multiple locations, reformed our unemployment compensation program, and generated an annual savings of over $20 million.

Under the leadership of Governor Bentley, Speaker Hubbard and Senate President Marsh, we have made major reforms in the state. We have reformed the state pension plan making it more financially stable, and made budget reforms to help end the crippling practice of proration in our education budget. We have made it easier to get rid of bad teachers and allowed students in failing schools the opportunity to transfer to schools that are succeeding and willing to accept transfers. We have also cut the size of state government, reduced our general fund budget by $700,000 million and cut the pay of the legislature.

It has been an honor to be a part of this team and I look forward to helping continue these reform efforts for another four years.

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