So Philly won't be forgotten, Williams in guv race, too

State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams said yesterday that he is preparing to run for governor in the May 18 Democratic primary after Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox suddenly dropped out of the race Friday.

Williams said he was on a conference call with Knox staffers and supporters Friday, expressing concerns that issues like poverty and prison overcrowding would be "glossed over" without a candidate from Philadelphia.

"I was struggling with what to do" Williams said of the conversation. "Do I endorse somebody? Do I wait for the primary to be over? Do I get engaged? After my soliloquy, somebody said: 'Why don't you run?' I thought they were joking."

They weren't. The talk quickly turned to practical matters - circulating petitions for a candidacy and fundraising for the effort.

Williams said that he is not knocking the Democrats already in the race: Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, state Auditor General Jack Wagner, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel and Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty.

Those four men have a serious jump on campaign fundraising and building support. Williams may not be able to catch up but he could impact the way issues are discussed in the campaign.

Williams said that he is concerned that issues of concern to minorities don't adequately get addressed in statewide races.

"I'm tired of waiting," Williams said. "You don't necessarily have to be black to do that. But you have to represent change."

Williams, 52, was elected in 1998, taking over from his father, former state Sen. Hardy Williams, in a district that covers neighborhoods in West, Southwest and South Philadelphia plus parts of Delaware County.

Hardy Williams, known for opening the door for independent African-American candidates to run for office, died Jan. 7 from complications from Alzheimer's disease. His funeral drew a significant political crowd, including Gov. Rendell, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and Mayor Nutter.

Williams yesterday said that he hadn't given much thought to whether the recent reexamination of his father's legacy could benefit a run for governor. But he has been thinking about what his father would do next.

"That has come to me during this process," Williams said.