This collection reflects the entirety of Dwight Evans' state legislative career from 1980-2016. Evans was particularly concerned with matters of education, public safety, job creation, and district revitalization throughout his tenure.

This extensive collection contains a vast array of news clippings from before Evans was elected in the late 1970s and early 1980s, up until his departure from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and arrival in the national House of Representatives in 2016. Campaigns, legislative efforts, district visits, specific events, and public hearings are all accounted for in this collection. Evans spent twenty years as the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee (1990-2010), and this collection reflects his commitment and time as the longest-serving chair of that committee.

Much of the collection is divided into certain subjects Evans dealt with during his time as a representative. Namely, his founding of the Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation (OARC) is well-documented, as well as his efforts in education restructuring, from charter schools to establishing avenues for technical education.

Other records in this collection include, but are not limited to: extensive documentation of his various unsuccessful and successful campaigns for state representative, Lieutenant Governor (1986), Governor (1994), mayor of Philadelphia (1999, 2007); his Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia initiative; the Philadelphia Youth Violence Reduction Partnership (YVIP); reform efforts regarding the Martin Luther King High School of Philadelphia; and the Fresh Food Financing Initiative (2008) which received national attention from former US President Barrack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Several oversized items are also included within this collection, which pertain to series: Campaign Materials and Photographs.