# 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.

## 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

2018 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Democratic primary election, District 74 :
| Party | 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 | Write-in | 39 | 0.95 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,106 | 100.00 |
2018 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 74 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dan K. Williams | 14,826 | 61.36 |
| | Republican | Amber Little-Turner | 9,294 | 38.47 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 42 | 0.17 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,162 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |
2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 74 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dan K. Williams (incumbent) | 21,712 | 64.27 |
| | Republican | Dale Hensel | 12,017 | 35.57 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 53 | 0.16 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 33,782 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 74 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dan K. Williams (incumbent) | 13,289 | 56.13 |
| | Republican | Dale Hensel | 10,346 | 43.70 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 39 | 0.16 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,674 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |