TIM ISBELL/SUN HERALD Ron Williams, Libertarian candidate for U.S. House District 4, says 'We've been convinced government is a complex thing, that it's above our heads. Honesty and integrity are still alive and they still count.'

TIM ISBELL SUN HERALDBuy Photo

GULFPORT -- Libertarian congressional candidate Ron Williams said he believes incumbent first-term U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo hasn't followed through on campaign promises.

"I think he's been overwhelmed by Beltway politicians and the power of his party," Williams said. "He said he wouldn't raise the debt, wouldn't vote for the Patriot Act or anything that would support abortion. He said he would not, would not, would not, but then he did, he did, he did."

Williams said he had supported Palazzo, even contributed to his campaign. But now he's running against him, in large part because of his frustration as a businessman dealing with government and politics.

"You can't really run a business in the U.S. anymore -- the federal government runs your business," Williams said. "... It's hunting season on businesses in America."

He said that as a contractor, he has also been frustrated with politically connected people receiving contracts they didn't deserve.

Williams, 53, of Moss Point, who ran for governor last year as a Republican, said he's now running as a Libertarian for U.S. House District 4 because he's also fed up with gamesmanship from the two largest political parties.

"Like everyone else, I'm frustrated as can be at the inaction and incompetence in Washington," Williams said in a meeting Tuesday with the Sun Herald that he requested. "One thing I learned as a Republican candidate (for governor) is that their interests are not necessarily my interests and not necessarily the best interests of the country ... We continue to elect these people based on what they're saying, not what they're doing."

Williams said politicians with both main parties appear to be pandering.

See the article here:

Libertarian Williams says frustration with government drives him to seek office