All in the Family
Jewell Williams favors his 23-year-old daughter to replace him in the state House.
If state Rep. Jewell Williams has his way, his colleagues in Harrisburg will have no problem remembering the name of his successor. For a couple of months, he's been introducing pols to his favorite for the seat: his 23-year-old daughter, Jewel.
Neither the state rep nor his daughter could be reached for comment, but Harriet Lessy, a spokeswoman during Williams' campaign for sheriff, confirmed that Jewel is considering the race. She lives in the district, Lessy said, and either has or is working toward an associate degree from the Community College of Philadelphia. Jewel is currently employed by the Parking Authority as "processing specialist," helping the agency auction off impounded vehicles. Her salary is $32,567 a year.
Al Spivey, chief of staff to City Councilman Curtis Jones, had been interested in Williams' seat. But Spivey said last week that he lives outside the new boundaries proposed for the legislative district and expects to continue working for Jones, who will have expanded duties as Council majority leader.
Damon K. Roberts, the attorney who dropped out of the Second Council District race a week before the primary election, likely swinging the race to Kenyatta Johnson, now wants to replace Johnson in the state House. Roberts, about to turn 41, says he's hoping for Johnson's endorsement and support but has no commitment from Johnson, in spite of Roberts' critical decision helping Johnson to his narrow primary win over Barbara Capozzi.
"It was not an exchange, not a quid pro quo in that manner," Roberts said. "There was certainly a hope that he would support me, given our friendship. When he was first running [for the state House], I bought him shoes when his [old pair was] wearing out."