Mayor Cherelle Parker endorsed state Sen. Sharif Street for Congress on April 15, alongside several other elected officials, including Councilwoman Cindy Bass.

Street, who is running to replace retiring U.S. Congressman Dwight Evans, joined the mayor and several prominent Philadelphia Democrats outside City Hall for the announcement.

State Rep. Morgan Cephas, state Sen. Vincent Hughes, and City Councilmembers Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Curtis Jones Jr., and Anthony Phillips also endorsed Street.

“It’s important for me as mayor of the City of Philadelphia to affirm that I have a responsibility to think about the best interest of the entire city … I know what it means to be clear-eyed about the type of leadership that we need to be sending to Washington, D.C., to represent us,” Parker said. “I am proud to join with the men and women, the leaders in Philadelphia, to support Sharif Street for Congress in the 3rd District.”

Bass announced her support as well, saying, “I can tell you that there is no one who is more ready, more prepared, ready on day one, and who has been out here doing this work for a very, very, very long time … It is going to be state Sen. Sharif Street, who will be our representative in the United States House of Representatives. And I am so pleased and so proud to be able to stand here today and support him as well.”

Jones spoke of his longtime support for Street and relayed a story about Street attending Jones’ block captain boot camp, a community organizing training program, where he met his wife, April Scott-Street.

Jones joked, “So if you want to find a husband or wife, join us at the block captain’s boot camp.”

Street and others at the press conference thanked Cephas for helping to unite the West Philadelphia leadership in support of Street after she dropped out of the congressional race.

“I’ve got real, lived experience, and it’s not three decades old. I didn’t grow up in North Philly 30 years ago, I go home there tonight,” Street said. “I’m telling you, Philadelphia, we are here for you. We are fighting for you. I will never forget all the support that you all have given me, and we will be with you.”

Street also has been endorsed in recent weeks by the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, which represents nearly 100 congregations across the city, and District Council 33, which called him “a candidate who will champion the needs of working Philadelphians in Washington.”