Dan K. Williams | |
---|---|
Member of the
Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 74th district | |
Assumed office January 1, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Harry Lewis Jr. |
Personal details | |
Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | September 23, 1956
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 |
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.
Williams 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]
Starting 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]
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]
Williams and his wife, Baleria Alston, have three children. [12] He resides in Sadsbury Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania. [3]
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 |
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