Pa. 3rd Congressional District Candidates Vow to Abolish, Not Reform, ICE

Democrats agree on restoring health care subsidies and abolishing ICE but differ on who is most qualified to represent Philly in Congress.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The five Democratic candidates for Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District agreed on most policy prescriptions, including restoring health care subsidies and abolishing ICE, but differed on who was best qualified to take the district's interests to Washington, D.C. Candidates with legislative experience like State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Philadelphia City Councilmember Cherelle Parker argued their time navigating Harrisburg's power dynamics has prepared them to deliver results in Congress, while outsider candidates like Dr. Amen Brown and community organizer Adrian McConnie-Saad presented themselves as agents of change who can innovate to address the city's longstanding challenges.

Why it matters

The 3rd Congressional District covers much of Philadelphia, including the city's downtown Center City neighborhood. The candidates' positions on key issues like health care, housing affordability, and SEPTA funding will impact the lives of many Philadelphians, while their stances on ICE and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reflect the broader ideological divides within the Democratic Party.

The details

The candidates largely converged around affordability, health care, and transportation as the most pressing issues facing Center City residents. They called for restoring enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, increasing the supply of affordable housing, and securing more federal investment in SEPTA. Some of the sharpest exchanges came over ICE, with all the Democrats saying the agency should be abolished rather than reformed. Candidates also debated the appropriate response to recent protests related to the war in Gaza.

  • The Democratic primary election is scheduled for May 21, 2026.

The players

Malcolm Kenyatta

A Pennsylvania state representative who has served in the legislature since 2019 and is touting his experience navigating Harrisburg's power dynamics.

Cherelle Parker

A Philadelphia City Councilmember who has served as the chair of the Philadelphia Delegation and argues her record of getting bills to the governor's desk makes her best prepared for Congress.

Amen Brown

A physician who founded the Black Doctors Consortium to get COVID-19 vaccines to underserved communities, presenting herself as an outsider who can act decisively to address the city's challenges.

Adrian McConnie-Saad

A community organizer who has worked in federal policy and urban affairs, arguing that traditional politicians have failed to improve conditions in Philadelphia.

Dan Schnell

A former SEPTA employee who is critical of the transit agency's reliability and calling for reforms modeled on European rail systems.

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What they’re saying

“It's not about just talking about big ideas, it's about delivering.”

— Cherelle Parker, Philadelphia City Councilmember (whyy.org)

“In times like these, we need innovation.”

— Amen Brown (whyy.org)

“There are people tonight who are choosing between buying their groceries, paying for their medications or paying for their rent.”

— Dan Oxman, Physician at Jefferson Health (whyy.org)

“The culture of ICE has been corrupted at a level where it's not redeemable. We should not have an agency that has been corrupted with neo-Nazis.”

— Malcolm Kenyatta, Pennsylvania State Representative (whyy.org)

“I don't believe in being influenced by those forces.”

— Adrian McConnie-Saad (whyy.org)

What’s next

The Democratic primary election is scheduled for May 21, 2026, and the winner will face the Republican nominee in the November general election.

The takeaway

The 3rd Congressional District race highlights the ideological and experiential divides within the Democratic Party, as candidates with legislative backgrounds argue their insider knowledge is essential, while outsider candidates present themselves as agents of change. Voters will have to weigh these competing visions as they choose who will represent them in Congress.