Philadelphians won’t head to the polls until Nov. 4, but supporters of district attorney candidate Pat Dugan said the election is already underway.
Dugan and supporters gathered last week at Cannstatter’s for a fundraiser. He’s facing District Attorney Larry Krasner for the second time this year.
Krasner beat Dugan, former president judge of Municipal Court, in the Democratic primary. No Republicans ran in the primary, but Dugan earned enough GOP write-in votes to win a spot on the general election ballot as a self-described “independent Democrat.”
Besides holding fundraising events, the party has established an independent expenditure to accept donations, including from individuals, political committees, unions and businesses that have already made the maximum annual contribution to Dugan, under city finance laws.
In addition, the campaign is focusing on getting voters to request and complete mail-in ballots, particularly from people who live in areas where Dugan dominated in the primary. The thought is that people from places like Bridesburg, the Northeast and parts of South Philadelphia are inclined to support Dugan – they just have to vote.
“We have to start the momentum now,” said Vince Fenerty, chairman of the Republican City Committee. “We have to get the vote out.”
Among those at the Sept. 10 event were City Councilman Brian O’Neill, state Sen. Joe Picozzi and Mike Bresnan, president of Local 22, the union that represents firefighters and paramedics. Fenerty said state Rep. Martina White would have been there, but she was at the Phillies game, and the party chairman said he recently spoke with former DA Ron Castille, who had positive comments about Dugan.
In his remarks, Dugan called for an end to political violence, as televisions at Cannstatter’s were showing coverage of the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Dugan said he has faced death threats.
Fenerty and Dugan faulted Krasner for downgrading the charges against John Kelly from murder to voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a 33-year-old woman on a Center City street on Sept. 5. Fenerty added that Krasner was wrong to charge police officer Mark Dial with first-degree murder in a 2023 shooting.
“Sure looks like murder to me,” Dugan said of the Kelly case.
Dugan called Krasner a “clown” and an “obstructionist” when it comes to diversion programs for people like Kelly, who has a rap sheet. The challenger believes Krasner coddles criminals.
Dugan is portraying himself as a lifelong Philadelphian – he mentioned playing wireball in his native Fairmount – while labeling Krasner as an elitist who was raised in a fancy suburb.
“He is a fraud to our city,” Dugan said of Krasner.
Dugan is embracing mail-in ballots. They can be requested online or at local satellite elections offices, such as the ones at 6420 Frankford Ave. in the Mayfair Shopping Center and 1619-81 Grant Ave. in Grant Plaza.
“You don’t even have to leave your home to vote,” Dugan said.
Supporters of Dugan point to his military background and experience as a judge, including establishing a veterans court.
“We have a great candidate. He’s got the whole package,” O’Neill said of his fellow St. Joe’s Prep graduate.
Picozzi said the stakes are high.
“This is our only shot to beat Larry Krasner and send him into retirement,” he said. ••
