Dan K. Williams | |
|---|---|
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| Member of thePennsylvania House of Representatives from the74th district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2019 (2019-01-01) | |
| Preceded by | Harry Lewis Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1956-02-08)February 8, 1956 (age 70) |
| 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 andpastor. ADemocrat, he has represented the74th district in thePennsylvania House of Representatives since 2018.
Williams was born on September 23, 1956, inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania,[1] to Willa and Wallace Williams.[2] Williams grew up inWest Philadelphia.[3] He graduated fromOverbrook High School. In 1992, Williams earned abachelor of science degree in management fromGeneva College.[1]
Since the 1990s, Williams has served as senior pastor at New Life Christ Fellowship Church inCoatesville, Pennsylvania.[1][4]Williams earned hisMaster of Divinity and hisDoctor of Ministry fromBiblical Theological Seminary in 2006 and 2010, respectively.[1] He would later become assistant professor of practical theology at the seminary, and become the firstAfrican American on its Board of Trustees.[4]
Following the retirement ofPennsylvania State RepresentativeHarry Lewis Jr., in2018, Williams ran to fill the now open74th District seat. A lifelongDemocrat, Williams emerged victorious in a three-way primary election,[5] and later defeatedRepublican Amber Little-Turner in the general election.[6] Williams won reelection in2020 and2022, 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 tocalls for police reform following themurder of George Floyd,[2] and passed unanimously in both the Pennsylvania State House andPennsylvania Senate.[9] On July 14, 2020, GovernorTom 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 inSadsbury Township inChester 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 | ||
| Democraticgain fromRepublican | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of thePennsylvania House of Representatives from the74th district 2019–present | Incumbent |
