Challenger for Philly DA office announces candidacy

Joe Khan, a former prosecutor for the US Attorney's Office in Philadelphia, announced his candidacy for Philadelphia District Attorney, outside of the DA’s office, surrounded by a group of about two dozen associates and reporters.

Khan’s interest was first reported by City&State. Although Khan denied the rumors at the time, he and his wife, a fellow prosecutor, resigned from their positions several weeks later. 

"I know Seth Williams. He has lost his way and mismanaged a great office," he said, speaking on a busy Center City street corner. "I’m ready to restore integrity, judgment and fairness to the Office of District Attorney.

Khan successfully prosecuted a slew of municipal corruption cases in the Lehigh Valley and Reading. The current DA, Seth Williams, is purportedly under federal investigation and has struggled to maintain his finances. The two men share a history: They were colleagues under former DA Lynne Abraham. 

Khan has retained Adam Erickson, of Princeton Strategies, as a campaign consultant. Erickson previously worked on the campaigns of political candidates Congressman Brendan Boyle, Council hopeful Isaiah Thomas and state Rep. candidate Jared Solomon.

Earlier, in a profile in today’s Inquirer, the Northeast Philadelphia native slammed Williams as an unthinking DA.

“What I have heard from all corners in the criminal justice system is that this is not a district attorney who encourages people to challenge his thinking," Khan said. "If you want to run a bad district attorney's office, the best way is to hire a bunch of yes-men or to govern by fear."

Williams’ office has previously said they are unconcerned by the growing list of potential challengers.