Arthur Williams announced today that he will run as a Republican for the open N.C. House seat he once held. For eight years, Williams represented House District 6 as a Democrat before he lost a re-election bid to outgoing Republican Rep. Bill Cook in the 2010 election. Cook is vacating the position in order to run for State Senate. Williams changed his party affiliation in October of last year.

“During my years in the House, I worked with Republicans on business-friendly legislation and socially conservative issues,” said Williams. “The new majority in the House has taken steps to make our state more attractive to businesses, and I believe I can work with them to advance the interests of eastern North Carolina.”

Williams, whose background includes serving on the N.C. Wildlife Resources commission, served as vice-chair to both the agricultural and transportation committees while in office.

If elected, Williams hopes to leverage relationships with peers on both sides of the aisle.

“I didn’t go to Raleigh to be a partisan power broker,” said Williams. “I cast votes based on what I thought was best for my constituents.”