District 3 candidates flush with cash ahead of Democratic primary
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Candidates vying for Philadelphia's high-profile open congressional seat are sitting on heaps of cash ahead of the May 19 Democratic primary.
Why it matters: In deep-blue District 3, spending in the final weeks could sway who wins the Democratic primary — and the November election.
The big picture: A four-candidate primary has largely split the Democratic Party over the future of a seat held by retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans.
- Republicans have no primary candidates.
By the numbers: Political newcomer Ala Stanford holds a cash advantage with nearly $450,000 on hand at the start of the month, per federal filings.
- State Sen. Sharif Street had more than $263,000 and state Rep. Chris Rabb nearly $237,000.
- Shaun Griffith is in last with roughly $10,500.
Context: Street and Stanford have divided the Democratic Party's establishment in the district that runs from South to Northwest Philly.
- Stanford, a pediatric surgeon, scooped up notable endorsements from regional Democratic U.S. Reps. Madeleine Dean and Chrissy Houlahan this week, per KYW.
- She's also got the backing of Evans and the big-spending super PAC 314 Action Fund, which has supported her with television ads.
Meanwhile, Street won endorsements from Mayor Cherelle Parker, the city's Democratic committee and Philly's politically powerful building trades unions.
- Street is also the former head of the state Democratic Party.
And Rabb, who largely represents the party's left wing, was endorsed by The Inquirer, the Working Family Party and other progressive groups.
What they're saying: Larry Ceisler, a longtime political analyst, tells Axios that the primary will test how much pull the party's progressive wing has in Philly.
- "For progressives, they haven't won a big primary in the city," he said.
The bottom line: Ceisler says the race is still wide open, with most voters having yet to tune in.