State Rep. Morgan Cephas is dropping out of the race to succeed Dwight Evans in Congress
Cephas is a widely respected legislator. But she never gained momentum and struggled with fundraising in the crowded primary race.
State Rep. Morgan Cephas is dropping out of the race for Philadelphia’s open congressional seat, shaking up the high-profile contest two months before the Democratic primary.
“I have made the tough decision to exit the race for the 3rd Congressional District,” Cephas said in a statement to The Inquirer on Friday. “I want to thank the thousands of Philadelphians who supported my campaign, my staff, and the countless volunteers who worked tirelessly for the campaign.”
Cephas’ departure leaves six candidates still vying for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, which is being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Phila.). The district covers about half of Philadelphia and is one of the most Democratic-leaning seats in the nation.
Cephas, who represents the West Philadelphia-based 192nd District and chairs the Philadelphia delegation to the State House, is a widely respected legislator. But she never gained momentum in the crowded race and struggled to keep up in fundraising.
She is not endorsing any of her former rivals at this time, according to a source close to her campaign who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations.
Now in her fifth two-year term as a state legislator, Cephas said she will continue running for reelection to the State House this year.
A former staffer for City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., Cephas had allies in the Democratic establishment as well as in left-leaning circles, and her exit will likely serve to clarify the lanes for the three remaining candidates seen as top contenders for the seat.
State Sen. Sharif Street, the former chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and the son of former Mayor John F. Street, has long been seen as the favorite of the local political establishment. He has secured endorsements from the Democratic City Committee, the building trades unions, and the Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity, and had raised more money from donors than any other candidate as of the last campaign finance reporting period.
Cephas’ departure may allow him to court West Philadelphia elected officials who either endorsed Cephas or were keeping their powder dry.
Notably, State Sen. Vince Hughes, perhaps the most high-profile politician in West Philadelphia, has not yet weighed in on the race.
» READ MORE: The progressive Working Families Party is backing State Rep. Chris Rabb for Congress
For State Rep. Chris Rabb of Northwest Philadelphia, Cephas’ exit solidifies his status as the standard-bearer for the left in the race. While Cephas was not a product of the local progressive movement, she has a liberal voting record and is viewed favorably by many on the left.
And with Cephas dropping out, Dr. Ala Stanford is now the only female candidate among the top contenders, potentially allowing her to access more support from groups that back women running for office. Stanford is the founder of the Black Doctors Consortium and won national praise for her work aiding underserved communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
» READ MORE: Ala Stanford is banking on a healthcare message to break through crowded Philly primary for Congress
On the campaign trail, Cephas, 41, emphasized that she was the only millennial among the top candidates in the race and called for a generational changing of the guard. Many expect her to run for higher office again.
“I thank all of the wards, churches, and community organizations that hosted candidate forums which allowed a voice that believed we could change our community, while demanding more from those in elected office be heard,” she said in her statement.
Staff writer Anna Orso contributed to this article.