A recent poll indicates a competitive race to fill the congressional seat of Congressman Dwight Evans, with a notable interest in candidate Dr. Ala Stanford, who has not formally entered the race.
According to the early August poll commissioned by Black Leadership Pennsylvania (BLPA), 18% of voters expressed support for Dr. Stanford, a pediatric surgeon and Penn professor recognized for her efforts to provide COVID testing to Black communities during the pandemic.
Although she has not declared her candidacy, sources indicate that she is preparing to run, creating a buzz among local political observers.
In the same poll, State Sen. Sharif Street and State Rep. Chris Rabb each garnered 17% support, while State Rep. Morgan Cephas received 9%. Notably, one-fourth of respondents remained undecided about their choice.
Kyle Anderson, executive director of BLPA, noted that the findings reveal a wide-open race in Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, emphasizing the opportunities for candidates to shape their narratives ahead of the Democratic primary next spring.
“While it appears that there are some initial frontrunners, it’s still really early,” Anderson stated. “Whoever can tell their story in a compelling way, and can talk about the issues that folks have indicated they care about in compelling ways, has a shot.”
With Cephas, Rabb, and Street already in the race, they face competition from several other candidates, including Temple University professor Karl Morris and Jefferson Health physician David Oxman.
Evans’ district is recognized as the most Democratic-leaning congressional district in the United States, making the upcoming Democratic primary crucial for determining the eventual winner.
In the initial question about voter support, before biographies were presented, Street led with 15% of respondents, followed by Dr. Stanford and Councilmember Isaiah Thomas at 7%, while Rabb received 6% and Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson tallied 5%.
Over half of those surveyed remained undecided at this early stage.
Looking at demographic breakdowns, Street performed well among Black residents, securing 22% of their support compared to just 4% among white voters. His supporters tend to be older Black residents who are long-term constituents of Philadelphia and prioritize affordable housing initiatives.
Conversely, Rabb attracted younger, white, college-educated liberals focused on educational issues, while Stanford’s appeal spanned various demographics, particularly among men, LGBTQ+ voters, and Black homeowners wary of President Donald Trump’s policies.
The poll highlighted a divide among voters regarding the focus of Democratic candidates in the upcoming elections, with 31% asserting that the next congressperson should prioritize opposing Trump and his agenda, while 23% emphasized the importance of protecting Social Security and Medicare.
Other significant issues include reducing crime and violence (23%), creating affordable housing (21%), and improving public education (20%).
Anderson explained that the primary aim of the BLPA’s poll was to uncover the concerns of Black voters, aiming to enhance voter turnout amid disappointing statistics.
Following the 2022 midterm elections, Democrats underperformed significantly in many majority-Black precincts compared to previous years, signifying a decline in electoral participation within Black neighborhoods, as reported in the Inquirer.
As Anderson pointed out, “Much of the messaging coming from many campaigns was not necessarily tailored to or focused on what Black voters care about, which we could see reflected in lower turnout numbers in Philadelphia.”
This trend indicates that candidates need to be aware of the issues that resonate with their constituents, particularly in light of national concerns such as Social Security.
Furthermore, survey results regarding the state of Philadelphia revealed a growing dissatisfaction among voters, with 58% expressing discontent about the city’s direction, a slight increase from 55% the previous year.
Only 36% of respondents reported satisfaction with the current state of the city.
The primary reasons for dissatisfaction centered around crime (25%), ineffective leadership from public officials (14%), and concerns regarding the city budget (12%). Notably, discontent was more pronounced among Black voters, especially those under 50 years of age.
When questions were posed regarding city services, 44% of voters indicated that conditions had remained constant over the last two years, while 35% felt things had worsened, and only 16% recognized any improvements.
Anderson noted that the poll’s timing coincided with an eight-day strike by sanitation workers and other city employees, leading to sanitation issues in the streets.
The survey was conducted among 584 likely registered voters in Philadelphia from August 6 to 12.
Black Leadership Pennsylvania operates as a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization and is sometimes characterized as a dark money group because it is not obliged to disclose its funding sources. Anderson mentioned that contributors are primarily based in Pennsylvania.
The organization was established last year by labor leader Ryan Boyer, lobbyist Joseph Hill, and other figures from business and labor sectors. Boyer is an ally of Mayor Cherelle Parker, with a significant position in the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, while Hill had a role in Parker’s transition team after her election.
There appears to be a connection between BLPA and the Black Leadership PAC, a political action committee that can gather unlimited funds from both corporations and various donors. However, it cannot coordinate activities with candidates and campaigns.
Federal campaign finance records show that the super PAC raised $1.2 million last year, mostly from the contributions of Black Leadership Pennsylvania, with expenditures focused on voter outreach, get-out-the-vote initiatives, and advertising, particularly in support of Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.
Anderson clarified that he is not connected with the PAC, emphasizing that his focus lies on establishing a consistent presence of BLPA within Black communities, starting in Philadelphia and expanding to other cities in Pennsylvania.
He believes that there is no off-season for elections, highlighting the importance of continuous engagement with community members.
The organization aims to create closer ties with voters, encouraging them to engage with familiar faces when it’s time to cast their votes. “When it’s time for folks to start knocking on doors, to get people to come out and vote, it’s not going to be folks that they’re just seeing for the first time,” Anderson said. “It’ll be folks they’ve engaged with in their communities.”
The BLPA plans to replicate its efforts across the state, fostering an environment conducive to improved voter engagement and turnout.
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