Dan K. Williams (born September 23, 1956) is an American politician and pastor. A Democrat, he has represented the 74th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 2018.
Dan K. Williams | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 74th district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Harry Lewis Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 23, 1956 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Baleria Alston |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence(s) | Sadsbury Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Education | Geneva College (B.S.) Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div, D.Min) |
| Alma mater | Overbrook High School |
| Website | Official website  |
Early life and education
editWilliams was born on September 23, 1956, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,[1] to Willa and Wallace Williams.[2] Williams grew up in West Philadelphia.[3] He graduated from Overbrook High School. In 1992, Williams earned a bachelor of science degree in management from Geneva College.[1]
Pastoral career
editStarting in the 1990s, Williams served as senior pastor at New Life Christ Fellowship Church in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.[1][4] Williams earned his Master of Divinity and his Doctor of Ministry from Biblical Theological Seminary in 2006 and 2010, respectively.[1] He would later become assistant professor of practical theology at the seminary, and become the first African American on its Board of Trustees.[4]
Political career
edit
Following the retirement of Pennsylvania State Representative Harry Lewis Jr., in 2018, Williams ran to fill the now open 74th District seat. A lifelong Democrat, Williams emerged victorious in a three-way primary election,[5] and later defeated Republican Amber Little-Turner in the general election.[6] Williams won reelection in 2020 and 2022, besting Republican challenger Dale Hensel both times.[7][8]
During his first term, Williams wrote a bill focused on updating police training requirements in regards to de-escalation techniques, appropriate use of force, and communicating with individuals of varying backgrounds. The bill was in response to calls for police reform following the murder of George Floyd,[2] and passed unanimously in both the Pennsylvania State House and Pennsylvania Senate.[9] On July 14, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf signed Williams' bill into law as Act 59 of 2020.[10][11]
Personal life
editWilliams and his wife, Baleria Alston, have three children.[12] He resides in Sadsbury Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania.[3]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dan K. Williams | 1,786 | 43.50 | |
| Democratic | Josh Maxwell | 1,506 | 36.68 | |
| Democratic | Frank Pryor | 775 | 18.87 | |
| Write-in | 39 | 0.95 | ||
| Total votes | 4,106 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dan K. Williams | 14,826 | 61.36 | |
| Republican | Amber Little-Turner | 9,294 | 38.47 | |
| Write-in | 42 | 0.17 | ||
| Total votes | 24,162 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dan K. Williams (incumbent) | 21,712 | 64.27 | |
| Republican | Dale Hensel | 12,017 | 35.57 | |
| Write-in | 53 | 0.16 | ||
| Total votes | 33,782 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dan K. Williams (incumbent) | 13,289 | 56.13 | |
| Republican | Dale Hensel | 10,346 | 43.70 | |
| Write-in | 39 | 0.16 | ||
| Total votes | 23,674 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Dan K. Williams". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ a b Samuel, Jen (September 3, 2021). "Criminal justice reform beginning to make a difference, thanks to Chester County lawmaker". The Delaware County Daily Times. MediaNews Group. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ a b Rettew, Bill (August 19, 2021). "Williams, Hensel square off for House seat in 74th District". Daily Local News. MediaNews Group. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ a b "Dan Williams receives endorsements from Sen. Andy Dinniman, labor, others". Daily Local News. May 7, 2018. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Dunbar, Ginger (May 16, 2018). "Williams, Little-Turner secure their party nominations in the 74th District". Daily Local News. MediaNews Group, Inc. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b "SUMMARY REPORT OFFICIAL RESULTS GENERAL ELECTION NOV 6, 2018 CHESTER COUNTY, PA". Chester County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- ^ a b "Official General Election November 3, 2020 - SW Results". Chester County, Pennsylvania Election Results. June 2, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- ^ a b "Official General Election November 8, 2022 - SW Results". Chester County, Pennsylvania Election Results. June 2, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- ^ "Police accountability legislation advances with Shusterman's support". The Mercury. MediaNews Group. September 25, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ Sheehan, Brian (July 14, 2020). "Governor Wolf signs police reform bills into law, says work still to be done in PA". CBS 21. Sinclair, Inc. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "Bill Information - Regular Session 2019-2020 House Bill 1910". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "Rep. Dan Williams's Biography". PA House Democrats. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "SUMMARY REPORT OFFICIAL RESULTS PRIMARY ELECTION, MAY 15, 2018 CHESTER COUNTY, PA". Chester County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved July 4, 2023.