Clayton williams energy midland texas

American businessman (1931–2020)

Clayton Wheat "Claytie" Williams Jr. (October 8, 1931 – February 14, 2020) was an American businessman from Midland, Texas who ran for governor in 1990.

Despite securing the Republican nomination and initially leading in the polls against Democratic challenger State TreasurerAnn Richards by twenty points, Williams ultimately lost the race due in part to a comment he made about rape.^[1] During the campaign Williams cultivated an image of a cowboy figure who had risen from humble roots to become a powerful business tycoon.^[2] The image played well in public opinion polls.

Williams often had a propensity for making poorly planned statements on the campaign trail.

Clayton williams energy midland texas

Early life

He graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station in 1954 with a degree in animal husbandry. Then, as had his father during World War I, he served in the U.S. Army.

Career

In 1957, Williams followed in the business