Chris Rabb wins Democratic primary for deep blue PA-3 seat

A Democratic mainstay with generational name recognition and a well-funded political newcomer couldn’t stop progressive state Rep. Chris Rabb from coming out on top in Pennsylvania’s 3rd congressional district Democratic primary. 

Rabb, who ran an unapologetically progressive campaign, set himself apart from the initially crowded field of candidates by describing himself as the “anti-establishment” Democrat in the race. 

His progressive stances – and allyship with leftist organizations, including the Democratic Socialists of America and Working Families Party – proved to be key to his winning the deep blue seat against a party leader in Sharif Street and a tough newcomer in Dr. Ala Stanford. 

“A couple of months ago, I was on the precipice of withdrawing from this race,” Rabb said to supporters at his election watch party. “I was reminded that tough times pass, but tough people last.” 

The outspoken state lawmaker said Tuesday night that the progressive movement is larger than him, his campaign or anyone 

“Purpose is so much bigger than positions.” 

Rabb overtook Ala Stanford’s early lead around 9:45 p.m. – news that was met with loud cheers at his watch party when attendees refreshed their phone feeds. And just before 10 p.m., with roughly 50% of votes counted, Rabb’s lead extended to double digits. At that point, the dancing and cheering only increased at The Victorian, the venue in Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood where Rabb held his watch party. 

Street and Stanford were able to hold their ground in parts of North and West Philadelphia, but Rabb’s dominance in the city’s Northwest neighborhoods, as well as Center City and parts of South Philadelphia, propelled him to the primary win. 

The Associated Press called the race at 10:42 p.m., showing Rabb with a 14-point lead. When the race was called, Rabb sat at 44.2% of the vote, with Street at 29.5% and Stanford at 24.1%. 

“This is not the end, this is just the beginning,” Rabb said Tuesday night. “I feel the weight of your love. That is what inspired me in this journey. Those people closest to the pain, I see you and I thank you.” 

Race from the jump

Dwight Evans’ retirement created an opening in the most partisan congressional district in the nation – PA-3 in Philadelphia – for the first time in a decade. 

Given the district makeup, which includes Center City and parts of North and West Philadelphia, the Democratic primary field initially included as many as a dozen candidates. The field narrowed throughout the last few months, with three front-runners leading the way as the May primary election approached: Dr. Ala Stanford, state Sen. Sharif Street and state Rep. Chris Rabb. The fourth remaining candidate is a political newcomer, Shaun Griffith, a tax attorney who previously worked for the state government before opening his own firm in Roxborough. 

Street had the name recognition and party connections to fuel a successful campaign from the jump, but has faced stiff competition for the deep blue seat. Rabb sought the progressive crowd and pitched himself as an anti-establishment candidate, while Stanford – who entered the race with a medical background, no legislative experience and the endorsement of Evans – balanced her message as being both a new kind of representative and an experienced public health professional with support from the incumbent. 

Aside from the issues at home, the ongoing conflict in Gaza became a flashpoint during the campaign – another instance where Rabb seemed to set himself apart from the more moderate orators in Stanford and Street. Stanford, whose campaign was also accused of accepting funds from pro-Israel groups, had her response to the Israel-Palestine conflict become an albatross among progressive voters who attended community forums. 

Hot off the polls

Sean Anthony, a Roxborough resident, said he was out on an exceptionally hot Primary Day because “votes here are being bought by corporate interests for the few” and his vote for Rabb is, in a way, a direct response to the overwhelming influence of money in politics. 

“People only vote in presidential elections,” he added. “That’s like watching only the Super Bowl and not paying attention to the season – or any local sports.”

Anthony, a therapist and school guidance counselor working in West Philadelphia, pointed toward hyperpartisan congressional redistricting efforts taking place in several states, claiming Republicans are trying to “take away our 14th Amendment rights.”

Dave DeMarco of Manayunk told City & State he was voting for Rabb as well, saying he’s in support of the candidate who is strongly opposed to taking PAC money and not running “just on name recognition.”

He said he was also turned off by Stanford after hearing her forum responses related to the Israel-Palestine conflict, adding that she seemed to take questions “personally” and that her answer “wasn’t good enough.”

All along the watch party

Inside Rabb’s campaign watch party, spirits were high from the beginning. Progressives from organizations like the Sunrise Movement, Philly DSA and more were in the crowd, which enjoyed a surprise appearance by U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, who campaigned with Rabb alongside the likes of U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. 

Lee told City & State Tuesday night that Rabb’s win is a sign “the status quo is a sinking ship.” 

“If we can show that we can win here in Philadelphia, that we can win on progressive values in Western Pennsylvania, then there’s nowhere else that we can’t do this right now,” Lee said. “This isn’t the story of one person, it’s not the story of one organization, it’s the story of what happens when the left comes together and what happens when we build a multiracial and multigenerational movement that meets the moment.”