Rep. Rabb seeks office with new congressional standard

State Rep. Chris Rabb addresses New Church Down The Way attendees at a forum and Reclaim meeting on Friday, February 13.

During an intimate Reclaim Philadelphia meeting last Friday, State Representative Chris Rabb did not shy away from the key disparity between him and his opponents seeking congressional office.

“I believe young people will come out for a candidate who cares about what they care about,” said Rabb. “I dont think many young people are going to be particularly enthused by establishment Dems who are my opponents.”

Representative Rabb, a staple in the PA statehouse since 2017 is seeking to advance the progressive agenda and represent Philadelphia at the national level. Since the announcement of his retirement last summer, 10-year incumbent Dwight Evans has opened up a seat for Pennsylvania's 3rd district in Washington. The all but guaranteed Democrat district has more than 11 candidates challenging for the primary. Amongst those leading fundraising efforts are Rep. Rabb, state Rep. Sharif Street, and acclaimed Black Doctor's Covid Consortium physician/founder Dr. Ala Stanford.

"Part of my not so secret sauce for winning is reaching out to people who most conventional candidates ignore in primaries,” said Rabb. He emphasized the importance of connecting with youth who have shown they have the ability to carry a political movement, as well as the independent voters who can be swayed to connect with a candidate and declare a party in a primary.

Securing a vote of confidence from Reclaim, Rabb’s support has come from the growing and vocal progressive types in the city. His running position as an anti-establishment, Medicare for all candidate has seen him take advantage of the “super sexy” progressive position (his words). They have also seen him protest for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and oppressive systems within our control to change. 2026 being a time that he identifies as crucial in preventing our government’s fascist ascent.

During the meeting, Rabb dug into his roots, and spoke about the legacy of African American trailblazers that have pushed him forward to the present.

"One of the reasons I’m running is because I’m inspired by the sacrifices and leadership of those who came before me. Not just my ancestors of blood but my ancestors of conscience,” he continued. “It could be John Brown for you. It could be Ida B. Wells, who was an amazing journalist who talked about the anti-lynching movement.”

Just Monday, a federal judge ruled that the remnants of the President’s House site (above) must be restored to makeup the previous exhibit: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation.

“One of my ancestors created the Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper in the 1890’s and he and his wife built this amazing newspaper that has survived over 130 years, it’s still in my family’s ownership five generations later. They were chronicling the lives and contributions of Black folk when white media and white society erased our existence and our contributions in deeply racist ways. In ways that Donald Trump is seeking to bring back by erasing the history at 6th and Market…So I’m taking that legacy and that history and that struggle for racial justice and broad mass liberation because this is when we need that fight the most.”

It's a legacy that Rabb seeks to seemingly uphold on its own, without the weighted influence of corporate donors and endorsements. During the forum, he challenged his opponents to follow his lead in rejecting money from corporate political action committees or PACs. Both of his leading challengers, pave the way for their campaigns through high profile endorsements.

Upon announcing his candidacy in July, state Rep. Street (son of former Philadelphia Mayor John Street) received the endorsement of several city trade unions. Also included in the endorsement list is the city’s Democratic Party chapter and the city’s Building and Construction Trades Council, Sheriff Rochelle Bilal and former PA Governor Ed Rendell. Alternatively, Dr. Stanford has received the support of Congressman Evans who will be vacating the seat, along with former mayor Michael Nutter.

"What is the point of putting another establishment Dem in this position in the bluest congressional district in the entire nation? How offensive would it be for the first open seat in 35 years and we put another politician in there. Cause I’m not a politician I’m a public servant. We’re both elected officials, but politicians serve themselves and monied interests. Public servants serve the people. That’s why I’m running."

As all candidates prepare for the upcoming election, the notable upcoming deadline is March 10 for candidates to submit their list of signatories of support, in order to be eligible for the primary on May 19th. Reclaim Political Director Sergio Cea outlined the methods you will likely see associated in the neighborhoods as candidates seek out the required 1,000 signatures.