Sixth Democrat enters race for Pennsylvania Congressional seat

(WHTM) – A sixth Democrat has entered the race to succeed retiring Philadelphia Congressman Dwight Evans (D).

Karl Morris of Philadelphia formally filed with the Federal Elections Commission to run for the 3rd District seat in 2026. According to his campaign website, Morris has worked as a computer scientist, consultant, researcher, and teacher.

Morris currently works at Temple University as an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences.

“For far too long, Philadelphia has been the victim of politics as usual, where the establishment serves itself before the people,” says the Morris campaign website. “We need modern leadership, not run-of-the-mill politicians!”

Morris highlighted the issues of education, women’s health, technology, climate, and criminal justice as some of the many issues he hopes to run on.

The race for Pennsylvania’s 3rd District stands to be one of the most competitive primaries next spring. State Senator Sharif Street, who also serves as Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, and State Representative Christopher Rabb both announced their candidacies in July.

Intensive care physician David Oxman, former government employee Robin Toldens, and Gabriel Caceres have also filed to run for Evans’ seat in a heavily Democratic district.

Evans, 71, ran unopposed in 2024 and received at least 90% of the vote in his previous four elections. Evans, who suffered a stroke last year, announced his retirement in June after serving nearly 10 years in Congress.

No Republicans have filed to run in the 3rd District at this time.