After losing the Democratic primary to incumbent Larry Krasner, Pat Dugan will challenge him for Philly DA as a Republican candidate.
Pat Dugan will again face off against incumbent Philly DA Larry Krasner, but this time as a Republican. After losing the Democratic primary to Krasner, Dugan officially changed his party with the city’s Board of Elections on Monday.
Dugan, a lifelong Democrat, explained his decision in a recent interview.
Former judge Pat Dugan will be on the general election ballot for the Philadelphia District Attorney race after a "historic write-in" effort.https://t.co/G15UPDjB4o
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) August 9, 2025
“I’m running as an independent Democrat. Basically, running as a Philadelphian. That’s who I’m running for and I’m running for every single person in the city. Wasn’t running for Democrats. I wasn’t running for Republicans. I wasn’t running for independents. I’m running for all Philadelphians,” he said.
Dugan began his campaign with harsh criticisms of Krasner that mirror the ones he made during his previous campaign.
“He’s a non-prosecutor, hasn’t done a job in eight years, and the statistics over the last eight years show it. But again, we have that Philly shrug. People have to stop it. People have to come out and vote,” he said.
In the May primary, Krasner won with 64% of the vote. Dugan is able to switch parties and still appear on the ballot. More than 6,000 people wrote him in as the Republican candidate.
Dugan said he remains a registered Democrat and does not plan to change that even though he accepted the Republican nomination.
“I won the right to be on ballot in the general election, and I have accepted the voters’ wishes after a long deliberation,” he said.
“Now I am labeled the liar when Krasner has been lying to Philadelphia for eight years. This race is Dugan v. Krasner – common sense v. radical non-prosecutor, not Democrat v. Republican,” he added.
Local leaders pressured Dugan to accept the Republican nomination, including Republican Party Chair Vince Fenerty and the GOP City Committee.
Dugan officially announced he would enter the race over the weekend, saying, “I cannot stand by and allow Mr. Krasner’s failed policies to continue to hold our city hostage. Every Philadelphian has a real choice this fall, and I believe they will stand with me for common sense and safety.
