Dwight Evans: Philly's political phoenix

FAR BE IT from me to suggest that elected officials sometimes act in their own interests. But it's hard to look at Dwight Evans these days and not think he's feathering his own nest.

Long out of the catbird seat after years in the catbird seat, Evans seems poised to perch again.

Last week, he endorsed Jim Kenney for mayor and, along with other Northwest Philly Democratic bigs, thereby invited a critical chunk of African-American votes to back Kenney's candidacy.

This is significant because, if history's a guide, most of those votes likely would line up for the leading African-American in the race, state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams.

It's also significant because Northwest Philly wards are among city "power wards" where voter turnout trends higher than the citywide average.

When Evans announced for Kenney, he noted that last year he threw early support behind another candidate: now-Gov. Wolf.

Also, Evans and Williams serve together in the Legislature, have for 26 years. Dwight's unspoken message: I know him. I work with him. He shouldn't be mayor.

When I ask Williams if he has any reaction to Evans backing Kenney, all he says is, "No."

But if Kenney wins, guess which of these two longtime state lawmakers is better positioned for mayoral magnanimity.

Evans already benefits from his early support of Wolf, which was offered when Wolf was at single digits in the race for governor. That support apparently was appreciated.

Wolf in February named Evans to the SEPTA board. And it seems that Evans has say in other Wolf appointments.

Wolf last week tapped Montco businessman/entrepreneur Timothy Reese as his nominee for state treasurer.

This is to replace former Democratic Treasurer Rob McCord, who resigned in late January before pleading guilty to extortion related to his 2014 gubernatorial run.

Reese is married to Sara Lomax-Reese, whose family owns WURD (900-AM), a talk-radio station self-described as "the heartbeat and pulse of Philadelphia's African-American community." She's the station president and general manager.

Evans is a longtime Lomax family friend and reportedly recommended Reese.

Evans bobs and weaves when I ask him about it.

I say, "Are you going to tell me you had no hand in Reese's nomination?"

Evans says, "I'm going to tell you he's a very good choice."

When I ask Wolf spokesman Jeff Sheridan if he can confirm Evans' role in picking Reese, Sheridan says, "Gov. Wolf received input from many individuals throughout the process of choosing a nominee for treasurer."

Both answers are classic examples of nondenial denials.

So, what's Evans up to?

Seeking a dome for Ogontz Avenue? An international West Oak Lane Jazz Festival? High-speed SEPTA rail service to Northwest Philly? A "Dwight Evans Show" on WURD?

"I just want to make ideas matter," he tells me.

It's a not-too-subtle reference to his 2013 book, Making Ideas Matter, published by Penn's Fels Institute of Government.

(The back cover says, "This book is a primer on mobilizing political power to achieve enlightened goals in a democracy.")

When I ask Evans about his support for Kenney, he says, "I'm just trying to give people food for thought."

And when I press on Reese, he says, "I'm not the only one who talks to the Governor's Office."

And so it goes.

Evans has had setbacks during three decades-plus in public life: lost multiple races for higher office, including twice for mayor; ousted from the influential post of ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee; linked to reports of investigations into funding for projects associated with him.

But he also spent years as a power player who knew how to use public funds to get things done.

Now he appears to be reclaiming clout - or, if you prefer, mobilizing political power to achieve enlightened goals; or, more simply, something to crow about.

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