For the first time in a decade, the commonwealth\u2019s third congressional district is up for grabs. Eight candidates remain in the race to fill retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans\u2019 spot, down from what was a field of roughly a dozen early on in the deep blue seat that is PA-3.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to the Cook Political Report<\/a>, the North and West Philadelphia district is the most partisan \u2013 regardless of party \u2013 in the nation. Coming in at +40 in favor of Democrats, the district performed about 40 points more Democratic in two-party vote share than the nation as a whole in 2020 and 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n Candidates jumped on the opportunity to run soon after Evans announced his plans to retire, with political veterans, local activists and newcomers throwing their hats into the ring. March 10 was the deadline for filing signatures needed to get on the ballot and Tuesday was the deadline for challenging any signatures. And on Wednesday, after physician Dave Oxman dropped out<\/a> and endorsed fellow physician Ala Stanford, voters began getting a clearer picture<\/a> of who will be on the May 19 ballot.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the latest on each remaining Democratic candidate in the PA-3 primary, along with their list of endorsements. City & State also has one-on-one interviews with Sharif Street<\/a>, Ala Stanford<\/a> and Chris Rabb.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Cole Carter<\/p>\n Cole Carter, a software engineer who entered the race early, has described himself as a \u201cprogressive millennial,\u201d according to his campaign announcement.<\/a> A Temple University and University of Pennsylvania graduate, Carter is also a hip-hop artist who grew up in Germantown and uses music to address social issues, including mass incarceration and poverty. Carter has called out the Democratic establishment for failing to deliver policy solutions in his community, and has called for a $20-an-hour minimum wage, tuition-free college and workers\u2019 protections against artificial intelligence.\u00a0<\/p>\n Morgan Cephas<\/p>\n Elected to her first term in Harrisburg in 2016, state Rep. Morgan Cephas<\/a> currently serves as the Philadelphia House Delegation chair and as the Women\u2019s Health Caucus co-chair. Cephas, who got her start in politics serving as deputy chief of staff to Philadelphia City Councilmember Curtis Jones, has been a strong advocate for improving maternal health outcomes, investing in public transit and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cephas\u2019 endorsements include: All* In Action Fund, Philadelphia City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., and state Reps. Aerion Abney, Ben Waxman, Dan Frankel, Gina Curry, Greg Scott, Heather Boyd, Jason Dawkins, Joe Hohenstein, Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, La\u2019Tasha D. Mayes, Lisa Borowski, Mary Jo Daley, Melissa Shusterman, Nate Davidson and Pete Schweyer.\u00a0<\/p>\n NaDerah Griffin<\/p>\n NaDerah Griffin has previously run for office in the city, coming up short in her at-large bid for Philadelphia City Council in 2023 and in her run challenging state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta in 2024. According to her website<\/a>, Griffin has worked as a federal security officer and at the Department of Veterans Affairs \u2013 and has been involved in civic organizations like the West Philadelphia Community Development Corporation. Griffin\u2019s platform includes calls for reparations funding and universal health care, as well as housing initiatives for veterans.\u00a0<\/p>\n Shaun Griffith<\/p>\n Shaun Griffith is a tax attorney who previously worked for the state government before opening up his own firm in Roxborough. According to his website, Griffith\u2019s<\/a> campaign focuses include healthcare for all, a $15-an-hour minimum wage and community protections from data centers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Karl Morris<\/p>\n