A number of union leaders gathered on Monday to show support for Pat Dugan on the eve of the election.
Dugan faces District Attorney Larry Krasner on Tuesday in a rematch of the Democratic primary. Krasner won the primary, but Dugan received enough Republican write-in votes to appear on the GOP ticket. Dugan has also been endorsed by the Forward Party.
The event took place at Local 22, the firefighters and paramedics union.
Among those in attendance were Mike Bresnan, president of Local 22; Mark Lynch, business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98; Robert Cellucci, business manager for Insulators and Asbestos Workers Local 14; Transport Workers Union Local 234 secretary-treasurer Joe Coccio; Ray Marini, business agent for Sprinkler Fitters Local 692; Jim O’Mara, business agent for Teamsters Local 107; and Steve Weiler, of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5.
State Rep. Martina White was also on hand, praising Dugan’s record as a veteran and Municipal Court judge who will do a better job than Krasner in keeping people safe. White said the election is not about party.
“It’s about right and wrong,” she said.
Cellucci called Krasner “a piece of s—.”
Bresnan said Krasner ignores victims of crime. He urged people to vote.
“Don’t let apathy win the day,” he said.
Weiler said if turnout is just 18 percent, a little higher than the primary, then Dugan will lose.
Lynch criticized Krasner’s dropping of kidnapping and strangulation charges against Keon King because the victim and a witness did not show up in court. King is now charged in the death of Kada Scott in an unrelated case.
“That offender should have been in jail,” Lynch said.
Lynch said there will be 800 Local 98 members handing out campaign literature on Tuesday.
“We won’t rest until Judge Dugan’s our new DA,” he said.
Coccio said TWU’s top issue in the campaign is keeping its workers safe.
“Larry’s had his chance,” he said, “and he’s failed miserably.”
Dugan knocked Krasner for not debating him, adding that the incumbent has a poor record on holding repeat violent offenders accountable.
“This has been going on for the last eight years,” he said.
A Republican has not won a race for district attorney, or even come close to winning, since Ron Castille was re-elected in 1989. Four years ago, Krasner defeated Chuck Peruto with 72 percent of the vote to earn a second term.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dugan will vote at 7:15 a.m. at Jimmy O’Connor Memorial Playground, 4330 Deerpath Lane.
“Get off your couch and come out and vote,” he said. ••
