Pennsylvania Democratic Get together chair, state Sen. Sharif Avenue (D), has entered the race to succeed Philadelphia-area Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), who introduced on Monday that he will not seek reelection in 2026.
Avenue’s marketing campaign filed with the Federal Election Fee on Tuesday, in response to the unbiased company’s filings.
On his marketing campaign website, Avenue, who has been a state senator since 2016, is touting himself the son of a hotdog vendor who later grew to become the mayor of Philadelphia, John Avenue, and Helen Avenue-Mosee, a retired instructor.
“Rising up within the hood offered Sharif with perspective, an expertise he used to develop a platform of insurance policies which might be private to him. However, the unhappy actuality is that persons are combating the identical issues all throughout Pennsylvania,” the marketing campaign web site says.
Avenue, who presently represents north Philadelphia, was elected to the governing physique in November 2016, turning into the primary Muslim particular person elected to the Keystone State’s Senate. He has been the chair of the Pennsylvania’s Democratic Get together since 2022.
Evans, 71, introduced on Monday that he would retire from the decrease chamber on the finish of his time period, turning into celebration lawmaker to share that they won’t search reelection.
“I stay in good well being and totally able to persevering with to serve. After some discussions this weekend and considerate reflection, I’ve determined that the time is true to announce that I cannot be in search of re-election in 2026,” Evans stated.
Evans has served within the Home since 2016, transferring to Washington after being a state legislator for over three a long time.
Evans grew to become the third Home Democrat over the age of 70 this 12 months to announce that they won’t search reelection, joining Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-lll.) and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.). Connolly passed away in Might on the age of 75.