Ala Stanford, founder of Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, announces congressional campaign

Stanford is one of several candidates looking to fill Rep. Dwight Evans’ seat
Dr. Ala Stanford
Dr. Ala Stanford Photo credit Provided by Dr. Ala Stanford

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The race to replace Rep. Dwight Evans in Congress is getting another candidate. Dr. Ala Stanford, founder of the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, is joining the race for the 3rd Congressional District seat.

The consortium gained national attention early in the pandemic. Stanford and her group helped educate Philadelphians about the coronavirus by setting up testing and vaccination clinics and building trust in the Black community among those who were skeptical.

She cited her work with the consortium as evidence that she can handle Congress.

“Philadelphia vaccinated more Black Americans than any other city in the country because of our early, intentional work. That was not luck. That was leadership,” she said Wednesday morning at her campaign announcement.

Stanford also led an office in the Department of Health and Human Services during the Biden administration.

Surrounded by family and friends, she announced her campaign at the Germantown home of her grade school principal — part of what she called “her village” that prepared her for a career as a pediatric surgeon, despite humble beginnings in North Philadelphia.

“When you grow up like I did, you don’t succeed alone. You succeed for every person that poured into you, and that’s what this campaign is about,” she said. “It’s about showing up for our city. It’s about fighting for our city.”

Evans announced in June that he won’t seek re-election next year, after 40 years in public office, including six terms in Congress.

Stanford joins several other candidates already in the race, including another medical doctor and three state legislators — state Sen. Sharif Street and state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Chris Raab. However, Stanford has received Evans’ endorsement.

She said she thinks her unconventional background is a plus.

“These are different times and we need people to think outside the box and not the establishment,” she added. “For me, the default is service, and this is just another lane.”

Stanford has been living in Montgomery County but recently bought a house in the 3rd District and plans to move in after renovations.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Provided by Dr. Ala Stanford