Dan K. Williams
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 74th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2019 (2019-01-01)
Preceded byHarry Lewis Jr.
Personal details
Born (1956-09-23) September 23, 1956
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseBaleria Alston
Children3
Residence(s)Sadsbury Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationGeneva College (B.S.)
Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div, D.Min)
Alma materOverbrook High School
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

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.

Early life and education

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]

Pastoral career

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]

Political career

Williams' campaign logo

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]

Williams speaking at the signing ceremony for his Act 59 of 2020.

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

Williams and his wife, Baleria Alston, have three children.[12] He resides in Sadsbury Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania.[3]

Electoral history

2018 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Democratic primary election, Distirct 74[13]
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
2018 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, Distirct 74[6]
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
2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, Distirct 74[7]
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
2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, Distirct 74[8]
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

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Dan K. Williams". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  2. 1 2 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.
  3. 1 2 Rettew, Bill (August 19, 2021). "Williams, Hensel square off for House seat in 74th District". Daily Local News. MediaNews Group. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "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)
  5. ↑ 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)
  6. 1 2 "SUMMARY REPORT OFFICIAL RESULTS GENERAL ELECTION NOV 6, 2018 CHESTER COUNTY, PA". Chester County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  7. 1 2 "Official General Election November 3, 2020 - SW Results". Chester County, Pennsylvania Election Results. June 2, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Official General Election November 8, 2022 - SW Results". Chester County, Pennsylvania Election Results. June 2, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Police accountability legislation advances with Shusterman's support". The Mercury. MediaNews Group. September 25, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ "Bill Information - Regular Session 2019-2020 House Bill 1910". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Rep. Dan Williams's Biography". PA House Democrats. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  13. ↑ "SUMMARY REPORT OFFICIAL RESULTS PRIMARY ELECTION, MAY 15, 2018 CHESTER COUNTY, PA". Chester County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
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