Chaka Fattah's Long Run Ends In Primary Defeat

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah lost the Democratic primary race for his seat on Tuesday night, ending a long and controversial tenure as one of Philadelphia's representatives in Washington.

He was defeated after an 11-term run by State Rep. Dwight Evans. Evans earned 42.2 percent of the vote, over Fattah's 34.5 percent.

They were running to compete for the open seat in the 2nd Congressional District, which covers a large chunk of the city and extends in parts of Lower Merion Township.

Fattah was indicted and charged in connection with a bribery and money laundering scheme in 2015.

Charges included bribery; conspiracy to commit wire, honest services, bank and mail fraud; money laundering and other charges, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger said.

The charges stem from an alleged racketeering case in which authorities say Fattah misappropriated federal and charitable money as well as campaign funds after a failed bid for mayor in 2007, 6ABC reported.

Four of Fattah’s associates were also charged, 6ABC said.

Authorities say Fattah and his associates used numerous schemes to misuse hundreds of thousands of dollars.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the 58-year-old congressman allegedly accepted an illegal loan for $1 million to fund his campaign and then repaid some of it using money from a nonprofit he founded.

Evans, who grew up in Germantown and West Oak Lane, represented the 203rd district (Philadelphia) in state congress. When he ran for Governor of Pennsylvania in 1994, the Philadelphia Inquirer endorsed him.