Dwight E. Evans

Not to be confused with Dwight Evans.
Dwight Evans
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 203rd district
Assumed office
January 4, 1981
Preceded by James Jones
Personal details
Born (1954-05-16) May 16, 1954
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party Democratic
Residence Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Alma mater La Salle University
Profession Educator

Dwight Evans (born May 16, 1954) is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 203rd District (Philadelphia County). He won the Democratic Party nomination for Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district, defeating incumbent Chaka Fattah on April 26, 2016, in the Democratic primary election.

Biography

Early life and education

Evans grew up in the Germantown and West Oak Lane sections of Philadelphia [1] and is a graduate of the Community College of Philadelphia and La Salle University. After graduation, he became a teacher in the School District of Philadelphia and a community activist for the Urban League.

Political career

Evans was first elected to office in 1980. His district, which encompasses West Oak Lane in Philadelphia, is heavily Democratic with a 95% African-American population.[1] As a result, he has had minimal GOP opposition in winning re-election to his seat.

Since taking office, Evans has run for higher office four times unsuccessfully. In 1986, he sought the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor but finished third in the primary election to future Lieutenant Governor Mark Singel.[2]

In 1994, Evans became the first African American candidate to seek the office of Governor of Pennsylvania. In the Democratic primary election, Evans faced off with Lynn Yeakel and Lt. Governor Singel. He won endorsements from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Again, however, Evans finished third in the primary with 22%.[3]

Evans has since made two runs for Mayor of Philadelphia. In 1999, in the race to succeed Ed Rendell, Evans finished fifth with 4.7% of the vote in a crowded primary won by John Street.[4] In 2007, despite comments by Governor Rendell that Evans was the "best qualified" for mayor,[5] he finished fifth again taking only 7.82% of the vote.[6]

Evans was elected as the Democratic Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee in 1990 [7] and served in that capacity until November 2010.

In 2010, the Philadelphia Tribune named Evans one of the 10 most influential African-Americans in the city.[8]

He won the Democratic Party nomination for Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district, defeating incumbent Chaka Fattah on April 27, 2016, in the Democratic primary election.[9]

Other activities

References

  1. 1 2 Gregory Gilderman, The Dwight Stuff?, Philadelphia Magazine, April 2007
  2. ↑ Carol Morello, Singel Emerges as Winner Over Flaherty and Evans, Philadelphia Inquirer, May 21, 1986
  3. ↑ Michael DeCoursey Hinds, Pennsylvania's No. 2 Official Is Nominated for Governor, New York Times, May 11, 1994
  4. ↑ G. Terry Madonna, 1999 Philadelphia Mayoral Primary , Franklin and Marshall College, Center for Politics & Public Affairs
  5. ↑ Amy Worden, Rendell Likes Evans but Won't Endorse, Philadelphia Inquirer, May 3, 2007
  6. ↑ Certified Election Results, Committee of Seventy, June 18, 2007
  7. ↑ S.A. Paolantonio, The Quiet Connection, Philadelphia Magazine
  8. ↑ Philadelphia Tribune Names City’s 10 Most Influential African Americans
  9. ↑ "Fattah Concedes as Evans Scores Upset Win in 2nd Congressional Democratic Primary" NBC 10, April 27, 2016

External links

Media related to Dwight E. Evans at Wikimedia Commons

Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by
James Jones		 Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 203rd District
1981–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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