Attorneys and political observers used words like “sad” and “self-inflicted” when describing the downfall of the once-promising career of Philadelphia District Attorney R. Seth Williams. But few said they were surprised.
According to many, although Williams had once been thought of as a likely candidate for mayor, or even statewide office, his recent decision not to seek re-election seemed an obvious move, as many agreed he faced severe fundraising hurdles and an erosion of support dating back long before news broke of the gift-giving scandal that eventually sealed his fate as a two-term district attorney.
