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Dwight Evans (politician)

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This article is about the U.S. representative. For former baseball player, see Dwight Evans (baseball).
Dwight Evans
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 14, 2016
Preceded byChaka Fattah
Constituency2nd district (2016–2019)
3rd district (2019–present)
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 203rd district
In office
January 4, 1981 – November 14, 2016
Preceded byJames Jones
Succeeded byIsabella Fitzgerald
Personal details
Born (1954-05-16) May 16, 1954 (age 70)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationCommunity College of Philadelphia
La Salle University (BA)
WebsiteHouse website

Dwight Evans (born May 16, 1954) is an American politician of the Democratic Party serving as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district since 2019. The district, numbered as the 2nd district during his first term, includes most of Center City, West, and Northwest Philadelphia.

He defeated incumbent Chaka Fattah in the Democratic primary election, and won a special election on November 8, 2016, following Fattah's resignation from Congress after he faced corruption charges. He previously served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 203rd district located in Philadelphia County.

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.

Early political career

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Evans was first elected to office in 1980. The district, which encompasses West Oak Lane in Philadelphia, was heavily Democratic with a 95% African-American population.[1] As a result, he was reelected 12 more times against only nominal Republican opposition.

Evans was elected as the Democratic Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee in 1990[2] 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.[3]

Unsuccessful elections

Evans speaking during his 2007 mayoral campaign

Prior to his election to Congress, Evans ran 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.[4]

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. This time, Evans finished second in the primary with 22%.[5]

Evans 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.[6] In 2007, despite comments by Governor Rendell that Evans was the "best qualified" for mayor,[7] he finished fifth again taking only 7.82% of the vote.[8]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2016 special and general

See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania § District 2
Evans being sworn in by Speaker Paul Ryan

In November 2015, Evans announced that he would run for Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district in 2016 against Democratic incumbent Chaka Fattah.[9] In an upset, Evans beat Fattah for the Democratic nomination – the real contest in this heavily Democratic, black-majority district – on April 26, 2016. He won mainly by running up his margins in his Olney-Oak Lane stronghold.[10] Fattah resigned two months later amid a corruption scandal.

As a result, Evans ran in two elections on November 8, 2016 – a special election for the balance of Fattah's sixth term, and a regular election for a full two-year term. Evans won both elections and was sworn in on Monday, November 14, 2016. This led to Evans having more seniority than other new members who won the 2016 congressional election.[11] The district has been in Democratic hands without interruption since 1949, and has been represented by black congressmen since 1959.

2018

See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania § District 3

A court-ordered redistricting ahead of the 2018 elections renumbered Evans' district as the 3rd district. It lost its share of Montgomery County and was pushed slightly further into Philadelphia. Like its predecessor, it is heavily Democratic and majority black. Evans handily defeated Republican challenger Bryan Leib to win his second full term.

2020

See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania § District 3

Evans was reelected in 2020 with 91% of the vote, defeating Republican Michael Harvey.[12]

Tenure

In August 2017, following the aftermath of the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Evans and New York Representative Adriano Espaillat introduced legislation banning Confederate monuments on federal property.[13]

He is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus[14] and the Congressional Black Caucus.[15]

Issues

Crime

In September 2018, Evans voted against HR 6691, the Community Safety and Security Act of 2018. The bill would amend the definition of "crime of violence". Within the definition of "crime of violence" is fleeing a police officer in a vehicle or on foot.[16]

In 2021, he voted for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act[17] and the Enhanced Background Checks Act.[18][19]

In April 2022, Evans announced a $51 billion, seven-point plan to fight gun violence in Philadelphia and around the country.[20][21][22]The same month, Giffords PAC endorsed him for re-election.[23]

Environment

On September 24, 2018, Evans was rated 100% by the Clean Water Action group.[24] In 2021, he received 100% on the League of Conservation Voters' National Environmental Scorecard.[25][26]

Health care

Evans supports three public health option bills in Congress.[27][28][29][30]

Housing

In 2021, he announced a $63 billion "Housing Is Essential" plan with U.S. Reps. Matt Cartwright and Mike Doyle.[31][32]

Impeachment of Donald Trump

He was an early congressional supporter of impeaching President Donald Trump.[33]He voted for the 2019[34][35] and 2021[36][37] impeachment resolutions.

Infrastructure

He voted for President Joe Biden's infrastructure bill.[38][39] The legislation includes the $1 billion Reconnecting Communities initiative that he co-led.[40][41]

Ukraine

In 2022, the Russian government sanctioned Evans along with other congressional supporters of aid to Ukraine.[42][43][44]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Power: The Dwight Stuff? - Philadelphia Magazine". March 20, 2007. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  2. ^ S.A. Paolantonio, The Quiet Connection, Philadelphia Magazine
  3. ^ "Philadelphia Tribune Names City's 10 Most Influential African Americans".
  4. ^ Carol Morello (May 21, 1986). "Singel Emerges as Winner Over Flaherty and Evans". Philadelphia Inquirer.
  5. ^ Michael DeCoursey Hinds, Pennsylvania's No. 2 Official Is Nominated for Governor, New York Times, May 11, 1994[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ G. Terry Madonna Archived 2008-10-04 at the Wayback Machine, 1999 Philadelphia Mayoral Primary, Franklin and Marshall College, Center for Politics & Public Affairs
  7. ^ Amy Worden (May 3, 2007). "Rendell Likes Evans but Won't Endorse". Philadelphia Inquirer.
  8. ^ "Certified Election Results, Committee of Seventy, June 18, 2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2008. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  9. ^ Brennan, Chris (November 4, 2015). "Dwight Evans says he'll challenge Fattah in '16". Philadelphia Media Network. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  10. ^ McCrone, Brian X. (April 27, 2016). "Fattah Concedes as Evans Scores Upset Win in 2nd Congressional Democratic Primary". WCAU. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  11. ^ Tamari, Jonathan (November 15, 2016). "Dwight Evans sworn in to represent Philly-based 2nd District in U.S. House". Philly News. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  12. ^ "Democrat Dwight Evans wins reelection to U.S. House in Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District". AP NEWS. 2020-11-04. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  13. ^ Marcos, Cristina (17 August 2017). "Dems unveil bill to ban Confederate monuments on federal property". Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  14. ^ "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  15. ^ "Membership". Congressional Black Caucus. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  16. ^ "HR 6691 - Community Safety and Security Act of 2018 - National Key Vote". Vote Smart. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  17. ^ "Roll Call 75, Bill Number: H. R. 8, 117th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. 2021-03-11. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  18. ^ "Roll Call 77, Bill Number: H. R. 1446, 117th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. 2021-03-11. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  19. ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/repdwightevans/status/1470858504110022666. Retrieved 2022-04-27. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ^ "Evans Announces $51 Billion, 7-Point Plan to Fight Gun Violence". Representative Dwight Evans. 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  21. ^ "Rep. Dwight Evans unveils $51 billion proposal to fight gun violence in Philadelphia". PhillyVoice. 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  22. ^ "Congressman Dwight Evans Unveils Seven-Point Plan To Fight Gun Violence In Philadelphia". 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  23. ^ "Giffords Endorses Pennsylvania Slate of Gun Safety Champions". Giffords. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  24. ^ "Dwight Evans' Political Summary". Vote Smart. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  25. ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/dwightevanspa/status/1362767827934011401. Retrieved 2022-04-27. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. ^ "Check out Representative Dwight Evans's Environmental Voting Record". League of Conservation Voters Scorecard. 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  27. ^ "Your voter guide to the 2022 PA primary in Philadelphia". The Philadelphia Citizen. 2022-03-30. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  28. ^ Schrier, Kim (2021-08-06). "Cosponsors - H.R.4974 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): State Public Option Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  29. ^ Gomez, Jimmy (2021-08-13). "Cosponsors - H.R.5011 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Choose Medicare Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  30. ^ Jayapal, Pramila (2021-09-06). "Cosponsors - H.R.5165 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Improving Medicare Coverage Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  31. ^ "Pa. Congressmen Announce $63 Billion 'Housing Is Essential' Plan". Representative Dwight Evans. 2021-03-31. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  32. ^ "U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans proposes $63 billion plan to bolster housing and stabilize communities". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. April 3, 2021. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  33. ^ Marcos, Cristina (2017-12-06). "The nearly 60 Dems who voted for impeachment". The Hill. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  34. ^ "Evans: Impeachment Necessary Because 'No One Is Above the Law'". Representative Dwight Evans. 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  35. ^ Cai, Weiyi; Lai, K. K. Rebecca; Parlapiano, Alicia; White, Jeremy; Buchanan, Larry (2019-12-18). "Impeachment Results: How Democrats and Republicans Voted". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  36. ^ "Evans: Impeachment Is Necessary to Remove a Threat to America". Representative Dwight Evans. 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  37. ^ Olson, Laura (2021-01-13). "U.S. House votes to impeach Trump over Capitol insurrection; What Pa. lawmakers said". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  38. ^ "Your voter guide to the 2022 PA primary in Philadelphia". The Philadelphia Citizen. 2022-03-30. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  39. ^ Jones, Ayana. "U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans highlights Philly's benefits from infrastructure package". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  40. ^ "What's in the Historic Infrastructure Package; Monday Deadline for Child Tax Credit". Representative Dwight Evans. 2021-11-09. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  41. ^ Allen, Taylor (2021-11-09). "What Biden's infrastructure bill means for Pennsylvania". Axios. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  42. ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/repdwightevans/status/1514683167948615692. Retrieved 2022-04-27. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  43. ^ Saric, Ivana (2022-04-13). "Russia sanctions 398 members of Congress". Axios. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  44. ^ "Request Rejected". mid.ru. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  45. ^ "Ways and Means (117th Congress)". Ways and Means Committee - Democrats. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  46. ^ "Caucus Membrs". US House of Representatives. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  47. ^ "Congressional Black Caucus". cbc.house.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dwight Evans.
s
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 203rd district
1981–2016 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district
2016–2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district
2019–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
235th 		Succeeded by
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