In his concession speech, Patrick Dugan called Larry Krasner a “despicable, uncaring, heartless human being.”
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner secured a decisive third term Tuesday night, reaffirming his status as one of the nation’s most durable and high-profile progressive prosecutors. With nearly all votes counted, Krasner defeated challenger Patrick Dugan 271,190 to 85,604—despite Krasner’s progressive prosecution and reform agenda.
The 64-year-old Democrat first won election in 2017 as a civil rights lawyer promising to end mass incarceration, reduce cash bail, and prosecute police misconduct. On Tuesday, he again overcame fierce criticism from opponents who argue that his policies contributed to rising crime during the pandemic. Krasner’s third victory makes him one of the longest-serving district attorneys in modern city history—second only to Lynne Abraham, a tough-on-crime prosecutor from the 1990s.
The election capped an unusually contentious year-long rivalry between Krasner and former Municipal Court President Judge Patrick Dugan, 65. Dugan, initially a Democrat, ran against Krasner in the May primary and lost by nearly 30 points. But after Republican voters mounted a successful write-in campaign to draft him as their general election nominee, Dugan switched parties, framing himself as a centrist Democrat running under the GOP banner. He accused Krasner of mismanagement, lax prosecution, and indifference to crime victims.
In his concession speech at a Northeast Philadelphia social club, Dugan denounced Krasner in scathing terms, calling him “a despicable, uncaring, heartless human being.” Despite raising more money in the primary—about $900,000 to Krasner’s $500,000—Dugan failed to gain traction beyond a base of law-and-order advocates and some frustrated Democrats. Krasner, who largely ignored his opponent and ran a minimal campaign, won with an even higher percentage of the vote than in 2021 or 2017.
Larry Krasner is absolutely despicable, uncaring, and heartless. Pat Dugan would have been a phenomenal DA. An amazing partner to Mayor Parker and Police Commish Bethel. But voters overwhelmingly supported the incumbent, Krasner. So here we are… https://t.co/osJmOPQqsi
— Brian Hart (@BrianHartPR) November 5, 2025
The contest was briefly shaken by public outrage over the murder of 23-year-old Kada Scott, a former beauty pageant contestant whose accused killer, Keon King, had previously faced kidnapping charges that Krasner’s office dropped after witnesses failed to appear. Dugan seized on the case, calling Krasner a “co-conspirator” and arguing that the DA’s leniency allowed violent offenders to remain free. Krasner admitted his office “could have done better,” but said bail decisions—set by judges, not prosecutors—limited his power to detain King.
A sign draped from a Philly overpass reads “Kada Scott's blood is on Krasner's hands”
People are FINALLY waking up to the horrific record of @DA_LarryKrasner in the wake of his latest failure to protect the public. pic.twitter.com/Yz6qtPGtqe
— Law Enforcement Legal Defense (@LELDF) October 21, 2025
Despite the controversy, voters backed Krasner’s broader record. Homicides, which peaked at 562 in 2021 amid the pandemic, fell to 269 last year, and shootings declined nearly 10% through mid-2025. Supporters credit Krasner’s diversion programs, community partnerships, and violence prevention grants with helping to reverse the city’s crime spike. “If he got all the blame when crime was high, how do we not give him credit now that it’s down?” asked Pastor Carl Day, whose nonprofit received DA funding for youth mentoring.
Still, discontent with Krasner persists among police unions, some business leaders, and the Democratic establishment. The city’s Democratic Party declined to endorse him in the primary, and construction trade unions backed Dugan. Critics like real estate developer Barbara Capozzi said Krasner’s policies embolden repeat offenders and discourage investment in the city. “Criminals do not fear the District Attorney’s Office—that’s the root of the problem,” she said.
Krasner’s national profile attracted both praise and scrutiny. His primary campaign drew donations from figures such as Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen and Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings’ wife, Patricia Quillin—evidence of Philadelphia’s symbolic role in the national debate over criminal justice reform. Krasner’s approach, rooted in restorative justice and anti-mass-incarceration ideals, has survived where others faltered: progressive DAs in San Francisco, Portland, and Oakland were recalled or defeated, while Krasner outlasted an impeachment attempt by Pennsylvania Republicans in 2022.
In a speech Wednesday morning outside his Center City office, Krasner said voters had chosen “more safety and more freedom” and invited residents to email suggestions to help guide his next term. He vowed to expand alternatives to prosecution, invest in public health responses to gun violence, and “protect democracy” amid what he called a nationwide assault on civil rights.
Defiant as ever, Krasner even addressed former President Donald Trump directly: “Can you hear me, Donald Trump, in Washington D.C.? Voters told you they’ve had enough.
