Dan K. Williams | |
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Member of the PennsylvaniaHouseofRepresentatives from the 74th district | |
Assumed office January 1, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Harry Lewis Jr. |
Personal details | |
Born | Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,U.S. | February 8,1956
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 |