(From L-R) Moderator State Rep. Andre D. Carroll and candidates, Rep. Rabb, Dr. Oxman, Sen. Street, Dr. Stanford, and Rep. Chephas. (Photo: Rasheed Z. Ajamu)
The auditorium of Center in the Park was packed from wall to wall, with no empty seats, for Tuesday night’s Third Congressional District Candidate Forum ahead of the May 2026 Primaries.
The forum was put together by the 12th and 59th Democratic Wards to ensure Germantown neighbors get a chance to know where candidates stand on the issues.
“We need a warrior in Congress,” shouted 12th Dem Ward leader Ted Stones to the audience. “We need somebody who knows the government.”
On the panel were five of 12 candidates — State Rep. Chris Rabb, Dr. David Oxman, Sen. Sharif Street, Dr. Ala Stanford, and State Rep. Morgan Cephas. Facilitating the panel was State Rep. Andre D. Carroll, whose 201st District office seat is also included in May’s election.
Guests came for different reasons, and from other places — not just Germantown. Some wanted to get to know more about the candidates and what business they’re standing on.
“I’m undecided,” said Keyna Drinks by way of West Oak Lane. “I’m interested in healthcare, but there are so many other things going on around here, like what’s going on with the war. They’re all important.”
José DeMarco of West Mt. Airy came out because he’s worried about the cuts to HIV/AIDS funding and the effect it will have on Black and Brown communities.
“What’s going to happen when large swaths of people do not have this medication?” he asked, before continuing. “I have done AIDS activism for over 30 years… I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Candidates were asked mainly formally moderated questions, a couple of community-submitted questions, and then yes/no rapid-fire questions.
While the same party candidates didn’t vary much in stance on topics such as housing & displacement, healthcare, and higher education, there were notable stances around Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1260 (‘Stand with Israel Act’) on state divestment and boycott policy.
Each candidate brought a different background, candor, and showmanship to the function for the two-hour event, getting two minutes to make their point to each question.
State Rep. Chris Rabb
State Rep. Chris Rabb showed up with his signature progressive style, never lacking humor, downing “rich out-of-state developers” on housing issues and reminding folks to “follow the money.”
While Rabb acknowledged he’s had no significant amount of laws enacted, he also told constituents, “I don’t need the credit to get the work done,” naming things he’s supported or been a part of, like advancing deed fraud legislation and the creation of a state police misconduct database.
If elected, he’d like to go after the “structural issues” within the democratic party, which he says is influenced by “corporate duopoly.”
His humorous charm quickly wore off when questioned about the pro-Israel political action group American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) influence on the Democratic candidates.
“Fuck AIPAC,” he declared plainly, earning a roaring applause, with some yelling, “speak the truth,” and “stop the genocide.”
He continued: “They are destroying candidates’ lives because they don’t like that we’re standing up to them and that we are actively and consistently acknowledging that there is a genocide in Gaza.”
Other candidates didn’t denounce the group as strongly, but all agreed they would not accept funds from the group.
State Sen. Sharif Street
Sen. Sharif Street is undoubtedly the most seasoned of the bunch, bringing his familial legacy aura. And it’s because of that legacy, tied to his uncle, former-Mayor John Street’s admittance to Temple Law under affirmative action, that Street will defend Title 1, continually being threatened by the Trump administration.
“Having access, that changed his life, and it set the stage for mine,” he stated.
Street says that he believes Israelis have a right to a state, as well as the Palestinian people, and says there should be an “American investment in rebuilding Gaza and Palestine for Palestinian people, not for resorts, as our president has talked about.”
As “the only Muslim candidate,” he noted, “We’re not going to solve the problems of the Middle East in two minutes.”
When tasked with presenting his top priority in office, if elected, he looked to post-pandemic tragic trends in Philadelphia.
“I will make sure we never forget gun violence when we’re talking about our priorities when I’m in Congress,” he said.
State Rep. Morgan Cephas
State Rep. of the 192nd District, Morgan Cephas, didn’t have much to say about the conflict.
“… my chamber did not have an opportunity to vote on the Senate bill that you are referencing,” she said, about PA Senate Bill 1260. “And as a legislator, I don’t comment on bills as to where I would be until they actually reach my chamber. So I can understand the implications, the impact as to how it would impact my community.”
But when it pertains to communicating with groups, like AIPAC, Cephas won’t discriminate.
“I’ve met with the NRA, I’ve met with the FOP. And I am a firm believer that you do not close your doors to any organization or any constituency,” she clarified, speaking on AIPAC. “Now, whether I will vote in a way that’s in alignment with the organization, it absolutely depends on what we are voting for.”
With a confident glow and edge, never allowing the time bell to disrupt her, Cephas uplifted her resume of legislative wins to neighbors.
“I had the opportunity to work with President Biden and the Congress down in Washington D.C. to extend Medicaid up to a year postpartum… And I was able to work with Governor Wolf to extend Medicaid up to a year for the requirement to extend Medicare and Medicaid up to 20,000 families across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” the West Philly native said.
As her top priority, she names her trademark focus, Black maternal health. She names affordability within the city as the second, and also hopes to ensure an effective line of communication with constituents.
Dr. Ala Stanford
The Black Doctors Consortium’s Dr. Ala Stanford brought medical knowledge & policy and People’s Champ prowess.
The Germantown native shared resonance with hyperlocal attendees, remembering her grandmother playing a piano in the same space where the forum was held.
She dwelled on that to call out her first priority: “protecting the seniors.” Within that, she mentions protecting Social Security & Medicare and uplifting affordability within housing.
Alongside that is education and a reduction in gun violence. And for her, who you have on your team is just as important as how you get it done.
“In terms of how I will build out my team, I want people who have had a lived experience that are subject matter experts, and they exist. And so I need some LGBTQ people on my team so I make sure I get it right. I need some folks that have had issues with addiction because I lost my aunt, where she died alone, due to substance use disorder,” Stanford said.
On the issue of the Middle East, she says, “If someone asked me my stance, I would say that I believe in a two-state solution. I believe that Israelis should exist, I believe that Palestinians should exist.”
She continued: “I believe that we should not be funding weapons that go to wars that harm and kill children and families. There is no way to justify that behavior.”
Dr. David Oxman
Mt. Airy’s Dr. David Oxman, the lesser-known of the candidates, made no shortage of points, winning applause from people.
As the “only Jewish candidate,” he agreed with Rep. Rabb about the “terrorizing effect” AIPAC has on the Democratic party. He also believes that criticizing the Israeli government shouldn’t equate to anti-Semitism.
“I believe that the fates of the two people in that land are bound together,” Dr. Oxman said. “Israel cannot have security without Palestinian self-determination. And that has to happen through the end of the occupation in the West Bank and the creation of a Palestinian state.”
Touching on his priority, he shares a similar sentiment to Rep. Rabb, but relates it to his medical background.
“As an intensive care doctor, you get very good at recognizing life-threatening conditions,” he said, diagnosing America with a problem.
Whether it’s trying to make changes to the healthcare system or the tax code, he stated that change has to start from within, as he feels the Democratic party places too many “band-aids” on significant issues that affect their constituents.
“I believe Democrats have the courage to face these problems head-on and propose solutions that acknowledge the magnitude of problems Americans face,” Dr. Oxman told the audience.
“But it’s not going to happen until this party starts to walk the walk and lead with our values. No one is going to care about our progressive values if they turn around and see our leaders stuffing their pockets with corporate PAC money and compromising with special interests.”
Note: This story was updated on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, to reflect accurate verbiage by Dr. Ala Stanford. We had originally put that she said her mother faced addiction issues, but was later informed it was her aunt. We apologize for this mistake.