Pennsylvania Democratic Party chair enters race for Evans’s House seat

Pennsylvania Democratic Party chair, state Sen. Sharif Street (D), has entered the race to succeed Philadelphia-area Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), who announced on Monday that he will not seek reelection in 2026. 

Street’s campaign filed with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday, according to the independent agency’s filings.  

On his campaign website, Street, who has been a state senator since 2016, is touting himself the son of a hotdog vendor who later became the mayor of Philadelphia, John Street, and Helen Street-Mosee, a retired teacher. 

“Growing up in the hood provided Sharif with perspective, an experience he used to develop a platform of policies that are personal to him. But, the sad reality is that people are struggling with the same problems all across Pennsylvania,” the campaign website says. 

Street, who currently represents north Philadelphia, was elected to the governing body in November 2016, becoming the first Muslim person elected to the Keystone State’s Senate. He has been the chair of the Pennsylvania’s Democratic Party since 2022. 

Evans, 71, announced on Monday that he would retire from the lower chamber at the end of his term, becoming party lawmaker to share that they will not seek reelection. 

“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,” Evans said. 

Evans has served in the House since 2016, moving to Washington after being a state legislator for over three decades. 

Evans became the third House Democrat over the age of 70 this year to announce that they will not seek reelection, joining Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-lll.) and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.). Connolly passed away in May at the age of 75.