In final interview before election, Brandon Williams on CHIPS Act, TV ads and more (video)

AUBURN — In his final interview before Election Day, U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams told The Citizen he is encouraged by enthusiasm among Republican voters, addressed the spending in the 22nd Congressional District race and shared what happened after House Speaker Mike Johnson's comments about the CHIPS and Science Act Friday.

On his reelection chances

Williams, R-Sennett, has been joined by House Republican leaders and colleagues in the final days of the campaign. House Speaker Mike Johnson headlined a rally in Syracuse. The speakers at that event included former Congressman Lee Zeldin, who ran for governor in 2022, and Auburn native John Walsh, host of "America's Most Wanted."

Over the weekend, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer — former chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP's campaign arm — was the headliner for a rally in the Utica area.

"The enthusiasm is off the chart," Williams said.

Based on what his campaign is hearing from voters, he thinks there is an enthusiasm gap between Democrats and Republicans.

On $18.4 million spent in NY-22 and how that's impacted campaign

Between the campaigns and outside groups, more than $18.4 million has been spent on the 22nd Congressional District race. TV ads have flooded the Syracuse and Utica media markets.

"It's made it very difficult to go out and have a date with my wife and to go to a place that has TVs," Williams said.

One issue he has with the ads is the focus on abortion rights. Democrats accused him of supporting a national abortion ban , but he denies that's his position. While he is personally opposed to abortion except in cases of incest, rape and if the mother's life is at risk, he believes it should be decided by the states.

"That just stands in complete opposition to probably about $4 to $5 million of their negative ads against me," he said. "We'll see how people receive that, but there's a lot of issues that are much more important to people than that in terms of the economy, in terms of crime, in terms of the border. There's just a lot of issues that are at the top of people's minds right now."

On addressing border security and immigration in Congress

Williams is confident that Republicans will win control of Congress and the White House, which will put them in position to pass border security legislation.

He criticized Democrats for "open border" policies and sanctuary cities. He has visited the border and wants to combat human trafficking.

"It is absolutely horrible — 300,000 children have been trafficked into this country," he said. "Children, they are now in the sex trade controlled by the drug cartels. They make more money on trafficking people and trafficking children, specifically into prostitution, and it's incredibly shameful."

Does he regret calling the CHIPS and Science Act "corporate welfare" in 2022 op-ed?

Williams wrote the letter to The Citizen in August 2022 — not long after President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act. Former U.S. Rep. John Katko, a Republican who was succeeded by Williams, voted for the bill.

The comment was used against Williams in 2022 and again this cycle. However, he does not regret the op-ed or labeling the legislation as "corporate welfare."

"I don't mind standing up and speaking the truth," Williams said. "When you give $6 billion to a profitable company, I think most people think that is supporting corporations with taxpayer dollars, often called corporate welfare.

"The fact that it's in our district, the fact that it's connected to national security, sometimes we have to do that and repatriating chips manufacturing. I come out of the tech industry. I know how important it is and that it is essential for our economic growth and that's why I've been all in to do everything possible to move the Micron project forward."

Responding to CHIPS Act criticism and what happened after Johnson's comments

After the rally in Syracuse, House Speaker Mike Johnson was asked about the CHIPS and Science Act and whether Republicans would seek to repeal it if they win control of Congress and the White House.

"I expect that we probably will," he said, "but we haven't developed that part of the agenda yet."

Williams intervened to reiterate his support for the CHIPS and Science Act and used it as an example of splitting with House GOP leadership.

"I stood up to the speaker in real time," he said Monday. "It's on the video. I do think that he misheard the question, but when he spoke up with questions about the CHIPS Act, I said, look, it's enormously important to our community here and that he will hear from me night and day to remind him how important that is, and that certainly got his attention."

When they left the event, Williams said Johnson apologized and told him he misheard the question. Williams urged him to publicly support the Micron project, which he did in a statement. That statement also included an updated comment that the CHIPS and Science Act is "not on the agenda for repeal."

Working with Democrats if there is a divided government

Williams doesn't think he will be in that position. He told The Citizen the more likely scenario is Republicans winning the presidency and control of Congress.

It may seem that would help Williams, but he expects there will continue to be challenges. He highlighted his willingness to buck his party by advocating for the Affordable Connectivity Program , an initiative that provided low-income households with assistance for broadband service. The program is "definitely not popular in my party," he said, but it's important in central New York.

Williams also joined an effort to force a vote on the Social Security Fairness Act , which would help public employees whose benefits have been reduced, and supported funding for Ukraine.

"Even if it's all run by Republicans, it doesn't mean that my job is done because like I said, I'm going to remind our leadership night and day what is important for central New York," he said.

"I'm not a career politician. I'm not climbing that ladder in D.C. I really never planned on having a career in politics. I just want to see us have better leaders and better representation for our community."

Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or . Love Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

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