Evans sticking by DeWeese

With embattled Majority Leader Bill DeWeese losing support among House Democrats seemingly by the day, one prominent and powerful Caucus member is sticking with him.

State Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia), chairman of the House Appropriation Committee, said Monday that he was still standing with DeWeese, and that he even expected the longtime lawmaker to be re-elected as a leader for the next legislative session.

"This stuff shall pass and we'll move on as an institution," Evans told Daily News political columnist John Baer.

"This stuff" is the massive "Bonusgate" indictments that have imperiled the House Democratic Caucus and threatened its ability to expand its razor-thin majority in the chamber this fall.

Evans' comments came shortly after state Rep. Josh Shapiro (D-Abington) became the most high-profile lawmaker yet to call for DeWeese's resignation.

In supporting DeWeese, Evans cited important policy gains in education, community development and energy.