John Adlai Williams Jr.

John Adlai Williams Jr. is running for Seneca Nation president.

Williams is serving in his second four-year term as a member of the Seneca Nation Council.

A resident of the Cattaraugus Territory, Williams will be running at the Seneca Party Caucus and seeks to then advance to the nation’s general election in November.

Williams said his focus will be guiding the Seneca Nation through this pandemic, and ensuring that all nation members have the support that they need.

“I don’t ever want us to go backwards, and will do everything to ensure that we continue to move forward together as Onondowa’ga:’ (people of the great hill.),” Williams said.

Williams said he wants to oversee and implement include strategies to enhance Seneca Nation sovereignty, fiscal responsibility, activating participation of the nation’s citizens on and off territory into the government to ensure government transparency, strengthening and diversifying the Nation’s economy, language and culture revitalization and battling substance abuse.

“My campaign will be clean and positive, just like the Seneca Party slogan, I will promote unity, prosperity and sovereignty. We have a chance to lead by example for the next generation and show them the greatness of our nation. Our ancestors taught us, One Dish — One Spoon. We are in this struggle together and when I’m President, we will solve it together.” Williams said.

The Seneca Party Caucus is set to be held Sept. 18 on the Allegany and Cattaraugus territories.