Ted Williams

Background:

Ted Williams was born in Mendocino County, spent his first weeks on Main Street in Mendocino, and grew up in Comptche. He is the father of two adult children.

Before entering public office, Williams built a career designing embedded systems, including software, firmware, and hardware. He also served for more than two decades in fire and emergency medical services in Albion, including approximately eight years as fire chief. Voters first elected him to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors in 2018, and he began serving the Fifth District in January 2019.

Objective:

Williams believes good government begins with reliable facts, transparent decisions, clear accountability, and a willingness to confront difficult problems before they become crises. He has pressed the County to replace outdated financial practices with dependable systems, timely reporting, independent review, and clear accountability. His goal is to restore public confidence and place County services on a sustainable long-term foundation.

Fairness to County employees means competitive pay, good working conditions, capable leadership, and the tools to do their jobs well. Williams wants Mendocino County to be the region's best local employer, a workplace that attracts and retains capable people, supports them in their work, and treats them fairly.

Rapid changes in technology, including artificial intelligence and automation, will reshape the work government performs. County government should prepare deliberately, using these tools to reduce repetitive work, improve public service, and give employees better information while preserving human judgment and public accountability.

On housing, Williams focuses on what County government can realistically change. Mendocino County lacks a dedicated local revenue stream to build or subsidize housing at the necessary scale, and state law constrains many local choices. He sees the General Plan update, clearer rules, appropriate zoning, and investment in water, wastewater, roads, and other basic infrastructure as the practical path to creating conditions in which more homes can be built.

Special Projects:

Williams prioritizes projects designed to produce durable results beyond any single meeting or committee assignment.

Fire and EMS

•  Drawing on his experience as a firefighter, EMT, and fire chief, Williams has worked to secure dependable funding and build stronger countywide systems for fire protection and emergency medical response. That work includes helping establish dedicated Measure P support for local fire agencies.

Financial systems

•  Modernizing the County's financial management, reporting, and internal controls is a central priority for Williams. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but accurate and timely financial information shapes every decision about staffing, public safety, infrastructure, and basic services.

Jackson Demonstration State Forest

• Williams co-sponsored the County's 2021 resolution calling for an independent scientific review of the forest. The resolution prompted direct engagement from state leaders and helped catalyze a broader effort to modernize California's demonstration forests. That work grew into statewide legislation supporting research, restoration, recreation, wildfire resilience, tribal stewardship and co-management, continued forest employment, and lasting economic opportunity.

General Plan and infrastructure

• Williams views the General Plan update as a rare opportunity to make long-term choices about housing, investment, jobs, and the character of local communities. He supports practical infrastructure improvements that make housing and economic activity more viable while respecting the character and limits of rural communities

Special Assignments:

District Information:

The Fifth Supervisorial District stretches from the Mendocino Coast through Anderson Valley and into communities near Ukiah. It includes Mendocino, Albion, Little River, Comptche, Elk, Point Arena, Manchester, Anchor Bay, Yorkville, Gualala, Boonville, Philo, Navarro, and surrounding rural areas. If you're unsure which District you live in, you can use the Find My Supervisor/District tool to find out.