Following the announcement in early July that U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans would not seek reelection in 2026, state Sen. Sharif Street and state Rep. Chris Rabb were among those throwing their hats in the ring to run for his seat. 

With Street currently serving as Pennsylvania Democratic Party chairman, calls from within the party have come in for him to step down from his position in order to run for Congress. Last week, Gov. Josh Shapiro told reporters in Harrisburg that he questions if  Street could manage the position while running an election campaign. 

Street told the Local on Friday, “We're still having conversations. … So far, I haven't heard any outcry from grassroots folks for me to step down, but those discussions are ongoing.”  He added, “I’ve heard from a couple of people that are pretty important, but it needs to be a more protracted discussion with regular committee people.” 

In response, Rabb, who represents Mt. Airy, told the Local, “The fact that he needs to be publicly asked to step down in the first place speaks volumes about the rampant self-dealing and cronyism that plague the Democratic establishment in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.”

Rabb added, “However much politicians try to consolidate their power for their own interests, the collective will of engaged voters will prevail in May.”

In an op-ed last week, the Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial board also called on Street to resign.