With incumbent Representative Dwight Evans retiring, candidates to replace him in office gathered for a forum hosted in Philadelphia.
In Pennsylvania’s Third Congressional District, several candidates are running to replace incumbent Democratic Representative Dwight Evans, who is retiring after this term.
State Rep. Morgan Cephas, Dr. David Oxman, state Rep. Chris Rabb, Dr. Ala Stanford, and state Sen. Sharif Street are running in a crowded primary. They met for a forum hosted by the 9th Ward Democratic Committee to speak to a crowd of over 300 voters in December.
State Senator Sharif Street is favored to be one of the strongest candidates in the primary race for the seat.
Street was quick to announce his candidacy after Evans announced his retirement at the end of June.
The event included remarks from each candidate and a period of questions.
The candidates engaged in anti-ICE rhetoric, the extension of expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, and rolling back President Trump’s tariffs that were enacted to onshore American manufacturing. The candidates’ opinions did not often differ at the forum.
The crowded primary will result in a candidate that will likely represent about half of Philadelphia in Congress.
The district covers West Philadelphia, parts of North Philadelphia, and Center City. It is rated the most Democratic district in the country.
No Republican Party candidates have filed to run for the third district seat. Democratic candidates are focusing on fundraising, mass mailers, and online advertisements to gain an edge before the upcoming primary election.
In Pennsylvania’s Second Congressional District, incumbent Democratic Representative Brendan Boyle is being challenged by Republican candidate Jessica Arriaga.
Neither candidate is facing a primary challenger.
Boyle represents most of the other half of Philadelphia.
In Pennsylvania’s Fourth Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Representative Madeleine Dean is being challenged by Republican Aurora Stuski. Neither will face a primary challenger.
