The left wing of the Democratic Party believes it has a genuine shot at capturing another House seat next week, with a state legislator seeking to represent the nation's most Democratic congressional district. The race in Pennsylvania's 3rd District would mark a third significant progressive primary victory in recent months, building on earlier wins in New York and New Jersey.
Pennsylvania state Rep. Chris Rabb is competing in a three-way contest to replace retiring Rep. Dwight Evans in a district that delivered 88 percent of its votes to Kamala Harris in the 2024 general election. His opponents are Dr. Ala Stanford, a pediatric surgeon, and state Sen. Sharif Street, the former chair of the state Democratic Party.
Rabb's camp is banking on a split in the center-left vote, a formula that has worked for progressives in other races. The strategy appeared to show promise when Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rallied for Rabb on Friday, drawing attention to the district's heavily progressive electorate and arguing it deserves a representative willing to push the party further left.
"So what kind of Democrat will represent the bluest district in America?" Ocasio-Cortez said at the rally. "Is it going to be a Democrat who collaborates with special interests and lobbyists, or is it going to be a Democrat who put everything on the line to deliver for the people and communities that they love."
At the same event, Rabb struck a combative tone. "To the billionaire class, the Epstein class, we're coming for you. You're not safe, your money will not protect you," he said. "This is about so much more than vengeance. Don't get me wrong, I've got a little space in my heart for vengeance, I do, but I'm here for justice."
Endorsement battles have fractured along familiar lines. Rabb has secured backing from Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ro Khanna, the Working Families Party, and Justice Democrats. He also won the endorsement of The Philadelphia Inquirer. One source from the progressive group Justice Democrats framed a victory as crucial for building the movement's presence in Pennsylvania, where it could join Pittsburgh-based Democratic Rep. Summer Lee as a progressive voice.
Stanford has secured endorsements from retiring Rep. Evans, as well as Reps. Madeline Dean and Chrissy Houlahan, representing nearby districts. Street, whose father was Philadelphia's mayor, has assembled the most formidable establishment coalition. Current Mayor Cherelle Parker backs him, along with state House Speaker Joanna McClinton, Sen. Cory Booker, and numerous local labor unions. Booker campaigned for Street on Monday.
Street's supporters have pushed back against the progressive framing, arguing that their candidate has the stronger track record. "His history and his record of service is much higher than any of the other candidates," said state Sen. Vincent Hughes. "He's been involved in the big policy conversations. He's also been unafraid to attack and go after and call to the carpet Donald Trump and the MAGA folks."
One notable absence from the endorsement lineup is Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who has engaged in other House races across the state. According to Axios, Shapiro and allies have privately expressed disapproval of Rabb and the governor advised some local unions to avoid helping him by attacking one of his center-left rivals. A Shapiro spokesperson said the governor remains focused on flipping Republican seats and will work with whoever wins the primary in November.
The Israel question looms large
The race has increasingly centered on Middle East policy and Israel's military campaign in Gaza, splitting the candidates and their supporters along ideological lines. Rabb has criticized opponents for refusing to use the word genocide to describe Israel's conduct. His campaign and allies have also alleged that Stanford is receiving support tied to pro-Israel donors, claiming an independent expenditure on her behalf came from a group that received funds from an AIPAC-aligned source.
Stanford drew controversy in March when she compared the word genocide to a racial slur. "I know when you use the G-word how hurtful it is to a group of people," she said. "It's like someone saying the N-word around me."
Street, who would become the first Muslim elected to Congress from Pennsylvania if victorious, has stopped short of using the genocide label and has narrowed his criticism to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His campaign has noted that voters broadly oppose the genocide framing and support an arms embargo, suggesting the district aligns with those views.
The progressive group Justice Democrats said Democratic voters want candidates who oppose military aid to Israel. "So I think we can assume the bluest district in the country feels that way as well," a spokesperson said.
Some Democrats have expressed concern about the intensity of these debates. A Democratic operative at a liberal Jewish organization said the race illustrated how accusations of AIPAC involvement can spiral without proper verification. Both AIPAC and the independent expenditure group denied funding efforts in the race.
State Sen. Hughes countered that while the Middle East matters, constituents are more focused on local economic issues. "It's important that we have that international conversation, from everything that's going on in the Middle East to what's happening in Ukraine," he said. "At the same time, we have to have more conversation about what's happening in the neighborhoods across the district and who's best poised to help those neighborhoods from a policy level."
Author Sarah Mitchell: "This race perfectly captures the progressive movement's bet that even in overwhelmingly Democratic territory, voters reward ideology over experience and connections, but the establishment's firepower in Philly shouldn't be underestimated."
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