With the PA primary approaching, DA Larry Krasner and challenger Patrick Dugan held a tense debate for the second time in as many weeks.
Larry Krasner traded shots with former Judge Patrick Dugan over race, Donald Trump and his past record. Krasner has reportedly focused on Dugan as more conservative, and last weekend’s debate is a key example. Krasner, a known progressive prosecutor, repeatedly discussed Dugan’s record as a judge while sharing with voters they are better off now than they were eight years ago. Dugan, a former Municipal Court Judge, focused on Krasner’s leadership record in office, specifically a low retention rate of new prosecutors during his first and second terms.
With no Republican candidate currently running for District Attorney, the May 20 primary between Krasner and Dugan is likely when Philadelphia’s next DA will be elected. As a two-term incumbent, Krasner is favored to win in May, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer despite some reported controversies and turnover in his staff. Dugan acknowledged his bid for DA was potentially a longshot but reiterated his campaign message that voters blamed Krasner for worsening retail theft and crime rates in Pennsylvania’s largest city.
“It’s a silent majority. People are fed up. People are fed up in Center City. They’re fed up in Northwest, they’re fed up with the city because they are not safer. They don’t feel safer. They don’t sit on their steps feeling safe,” Dugan said as a parting message following the conclusion of the second debate. Krasner’s message focused on claims that Dugan would halt what he deemed progress in Philadelphia’s criminal justice apparatus, specifically exposing misconduct of prosecutors and police officers. For the second time, Krasner pointed to a 2013 case that Dugan presided over, in which he acquitted a city police officer for allegedly punching an unarmed woman in the face at a public parade. “We cannot afford to have another DA who is driven by ambition, who is willing to do more than they should and cross lines in order to win cases,” Krasner said in his closing statement.
In similar fashion to their first public encounter, the most heated moment of the night came when Krasner brought up Dugan’s alleged ties to Republicans. Krasner argued his opponent would be unwilling to take steps to impede President Donald Trump’s ability to enact his agenda. He pointed to recent support from some groups for Dugan. When asked what could be done to stop what Krasner calls “illegal actions” from the federal government, Dugan admitted he “didn’t know what could be done” beyond public demonstrations.
Krasner also accused Dugan of having had ties to white supremacists and neo-Nazis. He accused Dugan of “bear-hugging” former FOP Head John McNesby, and defending visible nazi tattoos. Dugan responded by calling Krasner a “liar”.
“Don’t you dare say that to me,” Dugan said. “You’re such a liar.” His campaign has repeatedly denied that Dugan ever had such an encounter with McNesby, or anybody associated with nazi symbolism. For his part, Dugan criticized Krasner for his involvement in a Center City building that allegedly has $48,000 in unpaid real estate tax bills, something he has done several times outside of the forum.
