Dan K. Williams

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.

The Reverend Dan K. Williams
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 74th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2019 (2019-01-01)
Preceded by	Harry Lewis Jr.
Personal details
Born	(1956-02-08) February 8, 1956 (age 69) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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

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

Since the 1990s, Williams has 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, District 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, District 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, District 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, District 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