Pat Dugan hasn’t been impressed with District Attorney Larry Krasner’s two terms in office.
“Larry Krasner,” he said, “is the worst elected official in the history of the city of Philadelphia by far.”
Dugan, a Far Northeast resident, veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and former president judge of Municipal Court, is challenging Krasner in the May 20 Democratic primary.
Republicans did not file a candidate, but the party is organizing a write-in campaign for Dugan. The write-in campaign needs 1,000 valid names of a candidate to be successful. If the effort to write in Dugan is successful and he loses the Democratic primary, he would have the option of accepting the Republican nomination and facing Krasner in the general election. If Dugan declines, the party could choose another candidate.
Dugan said he senses there is a “Krasner fatigue” across the city.
Locally, he’s been endorsed by every ward in the Northeast except the 35th, which is neutral.
“I feel confident I’m going to win this race,” he said.
Dugan faults Krasner in various areas, including a high staff turnover rate and more than 3,000 murders since he took office (though the number has plummeted the last two years).
As for staffing, Dugan said he’ll recruit from local law schools and historically black colleges and universities.
“I want people who are invested in the city of Philadelphia,” he said.
All assistant district attorneys remaining in the office will retake their oath.
“We have to bring back integrity to the office,” Dugan said.
If elected, Dugan will bring geographic prosecution back to the district attorney’s office, with a senior assistant district attorney assigned to each of the city’s six police divisions. He said current policies are not working, that cases are being dismissed and withdrawn due to prosecutors not being ready to proceed, in part, due to failed outreach to victims.
Geographic prosecution will help bring more victims and witnesses to court, the challenger argues.
“It was working 7½ years ago,” he said, noting the time right before Krasner took office.
Dugan, referring to his opponent as “Larry ‘Let ‘em Go’ Krasner”, said the incumbent has not been prosecuting in the areas of illegal dumping, catalytic converter thefts and retail theft.
Stores are closing and items are behind lock and key, Dugan said, because Krasner hasn’t taken retail thefts under $500 seriously.
Krasner has formed a retail theft task force, but Dugan said it’s too late.
“The damage has been done,” he said.
Dugan served five years as president judge of Municipal Court at the time of COVID and the 2020 riots, with the judge holding court in prisons.
“We came through with flying colors,” he said. “I can lead the district attorney’s office because I have CEO-type leadership ability.”
In other races, City Controller Christy Brady is unopposed in the Democratic primary. The Republican candidate is Ari Patrinos.
In the race for Superior Court, the Democratic candidate is Brandon Neuman, a Common Pleas Court Judge in Washington County. The Republican candidates are Chester County Common Pleas Court President Judge Ann Marie Wheatcraft and Clarion County attorney Maria Battista. Wheatcraft has the GOP endorsement.
In the race for Commonwealth Court, the Democratic candidate is Stella Tsai, a Common Pleas Court judge in Philadelphia. The Republican candidates are attorneys Josh Prince of Berks County and Matt Wolford of Erie County. Wolford is the GOP-endorsed candidate.
There are nine openings for Philadelphia Common Pleas Court. No Republicans are running. The 10 Democratic candidates are Anthony Stefanski, Brian Kisielewski, Deborah Watson-Stokes, Irina Ehrlich, Kia Ghee, Larry Farnese, Leon A. King II, Sarah Jones, Taniesha Henry and Will Braveman. The endorsed candidates happen to be the first nine names on the ballot. Henry is running without party backing.
There are three openings on Municipal Court. No Republicans are running. The five Democratic candidates are Amanda Davidson, Cortez Patton, Qawi Abdul-Rahman, Shawn Page and Sherrie Cohen.
There are three proposed changes to the Home Ruler Charter. They are:
“Should The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to create the Office of Homeless Services Ombudsperson to assist residents experiencing homelessness, help provide fair access to essential resources, improve quality of life in the shelter system, investigate client complaints, and provide oversight and recommendations to the City’s providers of homeless services?”
“Should the Home Rule Charter be amended to increase the minimum amount that must be appropriated for spending on Housing Trust Fund purposes in the City’s operating budget each year?”
“Shall The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for the creation of an independent Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and Office of Prison Oversight and to further authorize City Council to determine the composition, powers and duties of the Board and Office?”
The deadline to register to vote has passed.
Those who are registered can request a ballot and complete it during the same visit at satellite election offices.
Local satellite election offices are at 6420 Frankford Ave. (215-MU6-7806) and 1619 Grant Ave. (215-MU6-8683). Hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
As for mail ballot drop-off locations, information is available at phila.gov/voting.
Polls will be open on May 20 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. ••
