With no Republican opponent, Krasner will almost certainly cruise to a third term in November.
Despite the number of homicides and shootings skyrocketing in the city during his eight-year tenure as Philadelphia District Attorney, Democratic voters have effectively returned Larry Krasner to office for a third term, pending the November general election in which no Republican filed to run.
Krasner defeated former judge Pat Dugan by 18 percentage points after the Associated Press called the race less than two hours after polls closed.
The race reflected ongoing tensions between progressive and moderate Democrats. Krasner, known for criminal justice reforms like ending marijuana prosecutions and eliminating cash bail for nonviolent offenses, faced criticism from Dugan over crime and prosecution practices. Krasner is one of the most prominent local prosecutors to proudly wear the “progressive” label in the country, focusing on criminal justice and sentencing reform. During the campaign, the city’s Democratic Party did not issue an endorsement for either candidate, which the Philadelphia Inquirer called “a snub” to incumbent Krasner.
Dugan was backed by establishment and union groups after criticizing Krasner’s actions as prosecutor and the high crime rates that resulted. He also significantly outraised Krasner. Dugan argued Krasner failed to find the appropriate “balance between criminal justice reform and commitments to public safety.” Dugan was a city judge for nearly two decades until he resigned from the bench to run against Krasner. The former Army member “called for greater accountability” from the prosecutor’s office.
In his victory speech, Krasner sharply criticized Dugan, insinuating his challenger attempted to buy the election and touting money Krasner raised from small dollar donors.
In Dugan’s remarks, he shut the door on efforts to continue his candidacy into the November general election after the city’s Republican Party organized a campaign to nominate Dugan via a write-in campaign. Those backing the effort needed to get 1,000 write-in votes, which will not be known for several days.
While a number of prominent “progressive” local prosecutors were recalled or otherwise defeated on the ballot, Krasner has shown a resilient ability to remain in office, particularly after holding onto his base of reform-minded activists, progressives, and prominent officials among Philadelphia’s Black political elite. Krasner was also targeted by state GOP lawmakers last year in an attempt to impeach the DA.
Krasner was first elected DA in 2017 but began his legal career as a public defender in the city before starting his own law practice in 1993. In 2021, after fending off a primary challenger, Krasner cruised to reelection with nearly 72% of the vote.
