Williams Wins Democratic DA Nomination

PHILADELPHIA - Seth Williams won a five-way Democratic primary for Philadelphia district attorney, making him the heavy favorite to win in November and become the first black DA in the city's history.

The victory for Seth Williams comes four years after he lost in a challenge to his former boss, longtime DA Lynne Abraham. Williams had more than 42,400 votes, or 42 percent, with about 90 percent of precincts reporting.

Fox-29's Julie Kim reports, Williams told supporters his win will be all about "serving the people of Philadelphia." Williams says the system is broken but vows to make it better. 

"I'm very humbled by the support of the Philadelphia voters. They've chosen hope over fear," Williams said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I look forward to working with the police, the courts, elected officials, community members."

Williams, 42, bested four other seasoned attorneys, all of whom have experience in the DA's office.

His nearest competitor, Dan McCaffery, conceded earlier Tuesday night. He had about 30,000 votes, or 30 percent.

Williams will face little-known Republican Michael Untermeyer, who was unopposed.

In 2005, Williams got about 45 percent of the vote when he challenged Abraham, who's white. Abraham, who has been DA since 1991 and been dubbed "America's deadliest DA" for her support of the death penalty, is not running again.

The DA's office has struggled to rein in gun violence, much of it involving young, black males. Abraham also has struggled to encourage reluctant witnesses and confront pay-to-play corruption.

Williams said he wants to create a system in which prosecutors are assigned to neighborhoods in a bid to gain the trust of communities and prevent so many cases from being thrown out for lack of evidence — especially the reluctant witnesses who are part of a mentality deemed "stop snitching."

The primary comes at a difficult time for the office, with Philadelphia facing an estimated $1.5 billion, five-year budget deficit.

Williams served as the city's inspector general from 2005 until last year.

McCaffery is the brother of state Supreme Court Judge Seamus McCaffery and the son of Irish immigrants. McCaffery, who has strong union backing, served in the DA's office from 1991 to 1996 and has worked in private practice for more than a decade.

Daniel McElhatton, who was a Philadelphia city councilman for one term from 1992 to 1996, got about 14,700 votes, or 15 percent.

Two other candidates were considered long shots.

Michael Turner, who also is black, served as an assistant in the office before Abraham. He got about 8,800 votes, or about 9 percent.

Brian Grady, who served as an assistant under Abraham, got about 4,500 votes, or 5 percent.

"I think my chances are good, but I have to do all that I can to ensure that Philadelphians support me," he said. "All Philadelphians want a safer city."

Melvin Wins GOP Nomination For Pa. Supreme Court

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Pennsylvania Republicans have picked Joan Orie Melvin to be their standard-bearer for an open seat on the state Supreme Court this fall.

Both major parties were settling nomination contests for the other two statewide appellate courts in Tuesday's primary.

With more than half of the precincts reporting, Melvin claimed 55 percent of the vote. She's a Superior Court judge from Pittsburgh who carried the Republican State Committee's endorsement. Superior Court Judge Cheryl Allen had 29 percent and Philadelphia Judge Paul Panepinto had 16 percent.

She will be the GOP nominee against Democrat Jack Panella. He's a Superior Court judge from Northampton County who was unopposed in the primary.

Republican Wins Special Election For Pa. House

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- A Republican who has held several elected offices is to be Pennsylvania's newest state representative.

Republican Jerry Knowles defeated Democrat Bill Mackey in Tuesday's special election for the 124th Legislative District, which includes parts of Schuylkill and Berks counties. With 84 percent of precincts reporting, Knowles had more than 70 percent of the vote.

Knowles is a former Schuylkill County commissioner and councilman and mayor in Tamaqua. Mackey is a pipefitter who was twice before been an unsuccessful candidate for the seat.

Allentown Mayor Has Huge Lead

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- In Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski has a huge lead over his challenger in the Democratic primary.

Pawlowski raised more than $77,000 in his re-election campaign and had more than 85 percent of the vote with 77 percent of precincts reporting.

His rival was Dick Nepon, a former Allentown School Board member who's been campaigning for a week. Nepon has asked supporters to make their own campaign signs.

The winner of Tuesday's race faces Republican candidate Tony Phillips in November's general election. Phillips is unopposed in the GOP primary.