Evans has represented the Philadelphia region in Congress since 2016.
On Monday, Democratic Representative Dwight Evans announced he will be retiring after his current term in office. Evans served as a representative at the state level for 35 years before being elected to represent the Philadelphia region in Congress in 2016.
In a statement announcing his retirement, Evans wrote, “Serving the people of Philadelphia has been the honor of my life. And I remain in good health and fully capable of continuing to serve. After some discussions this weekend and thoughtful reflection, I have decided that the time is right to announce that I will not be seeking re-election in 2026. I will serve out the full term that ends Jan. 3, 2027. I am deeply proud of what I have been able to accomplish over my 45 years in elected office — from revitalizing black neighborhoods block by block to fighting for justice, economic opportunity, investments in infrastructure and education.”
According to analysis, Evans represents the most Democratic district in the United States. There could be a crowded Democratic primary coming up after the announcement of Evans’ retirement.
In May of 2024, Evans announced that he had suffered a minor stroke, which raised questions about his fitness for office. He missed several months of votes and committed to running for re-election until his recent announcement.
In Monday’s announcement, he maintained that he is in good health to serve the rest of his term.
According to his press release, Evans will “continue to serve his constituents fully until the end of his term, that his offices will remain open, and that he will support a smooth transition for his successor.”
Evans, 71, has served in Congress since 2016 and is one of six Pennsylvanians serving on the House Ways and Means Committee.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called Evans a friend for more than 20 years. “Dwight believed in me long before others did and gave me opportunities to rise in leadership and learn from his legislative skill,” Shapiro said in a statement. He called Evans a “tireless fighter for his community.”
Three sitting state lawmakers have expressed interest in running to fill Evans’ seat, including state Democratic Party chair and State Senator Sharif Street, State Representative Morgan Cephas, and State Senator Chris Rabb.
