Evans calling it a career
Long-serving Congressman Dwight Evans will not seek re-election.
The 71-year-old Democratic politician is serving his fifth two-year term in the state’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of South Philadelphia. He has an office on Point Breeze Avenue.
The North Philly native, who was raised in the Germantown and West Oak Lane neighborhoods, previously served in the state House of Representatives from 1980 to 2016.
“Serving the people of Philadelphia has been the honor of my life,” said Evans. “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 neighborhoods block by block to fighting for justice, economic opportunity, investments in infrastructure and education. I cannot express the gratitude that I have for the trust that voters put in me as their voice in both state and federal office. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to serve as their advocate in government.”
Evans, who suffered a minor stroke last year, said he will serve his full congressional term, which ends on Jan. 3, 2027.
Evans began his career as a teacher in the city’s public schools and as a community organizer with the Urban League. He made history as the first African-American chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, serving in that powerful role for two decades.
Among his signature accomplishments in Harrisburg was spearheading the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which brought healthy grocery stores and thousands of jobs to “underserved” communities and became a national model for bringing healthy food to “food deserts” in both urban and rural areas. He was also instrumental in the creation of Pennsylvania’s Children’s Health Insurance Program, which became the model for nationwide CHIP.
While in Congress, he serves on the influential Ways and Means Committee, which oversees Social Security, Medicare, taxes and trade, and has served on the Small Business Committee and Agriculture Committee, advocating for “equitable” economic development, criminal justice reform, funding for school repairs, affordable housing and access to health care and healthy food.
Evans has been a supporter of legislation including the American Rescue Plan, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. He also introduced bills to address gun violence, finance repairs to schools, invest in historically black colleges and universities and promote economic empowerment in urban communities.
“From rebuilding neighborhoods block by block to advocating for economic opportunity, justice, education, infrastructure and public health, he has truly been a champion for Philadelphia,” said City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson. “Throughout his career, Congressman Evans has consistently demonstrated what it means to lead with courage and care. His tireless efforts have expanded access to resources for working families, supported small businesses and promoted equity in communities that have been too often left behind. His work has touched the lives of countless Philadelphians and helped create opportunities where they were once out of reach.”