Evans irked by focus on his trailing

STATE REP. Dwight Evans lashed out at the media yesterday for covering recent mayoral polls that show him trailing the pack.

"Psychologically that has an effect on people's minds," Evans said after a news conference at his Center City headquarters to announce endorsements from other legislators.

Evans added, "The only thing I believe is on May 15."

Two recent polls - one conducted by Susquehanna Polling & Research for Pennsylvanians for Effective Government and the other done by Survey USA for NBC 10 - had Evans in last place.

Asked by a Channel 6 reporter if he would complain if polling showed him ahead, Evans said, "If you know me, I have never been leading in anything in my life."

The group endorsing Evans included state Sens. Anthony Hardy Williams and Shirley Kitchen; state Reps. Curtis Thomas, Babette Josephs, William Keller, Cherelle Parker and Mark Cohen; and Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller.

"We're going to win this election," Evans said. "We want you, especially the press, to know that Dwight Evans does have some friends."

Evans also noted that he had raised $3.4 million over the course of his campaign and has $500,000 on hand.

The legislators praised his long record in Harrisburg.

"Dwight Evans is a proven leader. He gets things done," said Rep. Cohen. "He stood up for gun control long before it was fashionable."

All said they would urge their constituents to support Evans.

Parker said Evans was better qualified than candidate Tom Knox, the current leader in the polls. She complained about Knox pouring his own fortune into the race.

"My people tell me they are not buying it," she said of Knox's candidacy. "Cherelle Parker is not for sale."

Thomas might have put it best, saying, "On May 15, vote like you've lost your mind." *