Statement about running for governor: "I want this country to be better for my children, and now my grandchildren, and I don't see the actions that are occurring at the state level or the federal level leading to that at all," he said. "All I see is spending money we don't have and a lot of time on things we don't need." — Rochester Post Bulletin, June 11, 2009

Party: Independence

Current government position: None.

Elected: 0

Term: 0

Occupation: Farmer, owner of Honey Tree Farm

Birth date: June 10, 1955

Home: rural Austin, Minn.

Education: The Blake School (1973); studied chemestry, physics for two years at the University of Minnesota

Website: PrairieFireUSA.com

E-mail: Steve@PrairieFireUSA.com

Key issues and priorities: In his U.S. Senate primary campaign last year, Williams opposed the large amounts of funding of politicians from special interest groups. He campaigned on preventing the outsourcing of jobs, nationalizing health care to make it more affordable, and reforming other health care, Social Security and immigration policies. He favors a national sales tax. 

Political experience: Williams ran for the U.S. Senate and won the Independence Party's endorsement, but did not win in the primary.

Background articles:

"Austin-area farmer considers running for governor"

Stephen Williams, the Independence party-endorsed Senate candidate