Dan K. Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dan K. Williams
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| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 74th district |
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| Assumed office January 1, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Harry Lewis Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 23, 1956 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Baleria Alston |
| Children | 3 |
| Residences | Sadsbury Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Education | Geneva College (B.S.) Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div, D.Min) |
| Alma mater | Overbrook High School |
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, to Willa and Wallace Williams. Williams grew up in West Philadelphia. He graduated from Overbrook High School. In 1992, Williams earned a bachelor of science degree in management from Geneva College.
Pastoral career
Starting in the 1990s, Williams served as senior pastor at New Life Christ Fellowship Church in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Williams earned his Master of Divinity and his Doctor of Ministry from Biblical Theological Seminary in 2006 and 2010, respectively. He would later become assistant professor of practical theology at the seminary, and become the first African American on its Board of Trustees.
Political career
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, and later defeated Republican Amber Little-Turner in the general election. Williams won reelection in 2020 and 2022, besting Republican challenger Dale Hensel both times.
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, and passed unanimously in both the Pennsylvania State House and Pennsylvania Senate. On July 14, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf signed Williams' bill into law as Act 59 of 2020.
Personal life
Williams and his wife, Baleria Alston, have three children. He resides in Sadsbury Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Electoral history
| 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 | ||||
