


Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) announced Monday that he will not seek reelection in 2026 after 10 years in the House of Representatives.
“I am deeply proud of what I have been able to accomplish over my 45 years in elected office — from revitalizing neighborhoods block by block to fighting for justice, economic opportunity, investments in infrastructure and education,” Evans said in a statement. “I cannot express the gratitude that I have for the trust that voters put in me as their voice in both state and federal office. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to serve as their advocate in government.”
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In May 2024, Evans suffered a “minor stroke.” Originally set to be away from Washington for six weeks, the congressman’s rehabilitation required him to remain in his Philadelphia district. He returned to the Capitol for the swearing-in of the 119th Congress on Jan. 3.
Evans said Monday that he is in “good health” and will serve out the remainder of his term in the 119th Congress until it concludes in January 2027.
The congressman is one of the first Democrats to announce they will not seek reelection to another term in the House, where narrow margins make the majority anyone’s game heading into the 2026 midterm elections. While Democrats have 39 competitive seats to defend, they only need a net gain of three to take back the majority.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District as “solid Democrat.” However, Pennsylvania’s status as a swing state could lead Republicans to invest in a candidate to flip the seat.
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The seat has undergone redistricting in recent decades. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) represented the 3rd District, which was located in the northwest part of the state and was mostly redistricted as the 16th. Evans was redistricted from the 2nd to the 3rd District in 2018.
Evans and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) are the only House Democrats to announce they are retiring from public office after 2026. Three House Democrats have died in office this year, leaving their seats vacant until special elections take place.