[VT | March 12, 2026 | Philadelphia PA]
Candidates running for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District gathered on March 12 for a community forum in Center City Philadelphia, where they discussed a range of issues including housing affordability, healthcare, economic policy, and voting rights.
The event, titled the 3rd Congressional District Forum, was held at Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory Charter School. It was organized by the Philadelphia Crosstown Coalition in partnership with NBC10 and the host school. NBC10 political reporter Lauren Mayk served as moderator.
Drew Murray, chair of the Philadelphia Crosstown Coalition, said the goal of the forum was to provide community members with an opportunity to hear directly from candidates and to ask questions about issues affecting their daily lives. Many of the questions discussed during the forum came directly from members of the coalition and local community organizations.
The forum began with brief opening remarks from each candidate, followed by a series of moderated questions and community-submitted topics. Candidates were given limited time to respond and later delivered short closing statements.
Among the candidates participating in the forum were Pennsylvania State Senator Sharif Street, physician Ala Stanford, intensive care doctor Dave Oxman, Pennsylvania State Representative Chris Rabb, and Pennsylvania State Representative Morgan Cephas.
During his remarks, Street highlighted his experience working on housing and healthcare policy in the Pennsylvania legislature. He said the federal government should increase its efforts to address housing affordability, public safety, and access to healthcare services in urban communities.
Stanford discussed her work providing community healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that experience shaped her views on public health equity and access to economic opportunity. She emphasized that healthcare and economic stability are closely connected to the well-being of local communities.
Oxman, who works as an intensive care physician in Philadelphia, said healthcare policy should take into account broader social factors such as income, education, and living conditions. He argued that federal policy must address rising healthcare costs and structural inequalities that affect patient outcomes.
Rabb focused on economic inequality and democratic participation. He said protecting voting rights and expanding civic participation are key priorities, adding that public trust in political institutions depends on stronger democratic reforms.
Cephas highlighted economic opportunity, job creation, and public transportation as central issues for Philadelphia residents. She said federal policy should better reflect the needs of urban communities and support local economic development.
During the question-and-answer portion of the event, candidates addressed a variety of national and local policy issues. Topics included healthcare reform, housing affordability, voter ID requirements, economic policy and employment, as well as funding for immigration enforcement agencies and the Department of Homeland Security.
Some candidates also commented on international affairs, including tensions involving Iran and the broader implications of foreign policy decisions on domestic politics.
Community candidate forums are a common feature of election cycles in Philadelphia. Local organizations frequently host such events to allow residents to hear from candidates directly and to compare their policy priorities ahead of elections.
The forum took place as Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District prepares for an open-seat election. Incumbent U.S. Representative Dwight Evans has announced that he will not seek reelection.
Because the district is strongly Democratic, the Democratic primary is widely expected to play a decisive role in determining the next representative.
VT will continue to follow developments in the race and provide coverage of the election and related public policy issues.
