Progressive leader Larry Krasner has secured a victory in Philadelphia’s Democratic primary election on Tuesday, enabling him to continue serving as district attorney. This win comes after an impeachment attempt and years of criticism from President Donald Trump and other Republicans.
Krasner’s success essentially guarantees him a third four-year term as the city’s top prosecutor, with no Republican candidates running in the general election this November. He defeated Pat Dugan, a U.S. Army veteran with service in Iraq and Afghanistan who previously served as the head administrative judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court before resigning to run.
In his victory speech, Krasner reflected on his campaign, saying it began when he first took office in January 2018. He claimed the city had become safer, fairer, and freer under his leadership, pointing to the numerous exonerations he has facilitated and the decline in crime and prison populations.
Krasner emphasized that his campaign was powered by small-dollar donations and his commitment to defending democracy. The election night crowd, which included supporters wearing messages like “Black Voters Matter” and “Make Fascism Wrong Again,” was a nod to his anti-Trump stance. Krasner has also been vocal in support of the progressive movement, which he believes remains strong and influential.
Krasner initially ran for office in 2017 with a progressive agenda focused on abolishing the death penalty, ending cash bail, not prosecuting minor nonviolent offenses, reducing mass incarceration, and holding police accountable. Throughout his tenure, he faced a failed impeachment attempt by Republican state lawmakers and became a frequent target of Trump and other Republicans, especially during the rise in crime during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In recent years, crime in Philadelphia has decreased, and the city’s jail population has dropped by nearly half over the past decade. Like other big-city Democrats, Krasner has emphasized public safety, stressing his efforts to address violent crime and highlighting new technologies and strategies his office is using to solve and prevent criminal activities. He also announced the formation of a new unit focused on prosecuting illegal dumping.
Krasner frequently invoked Trump during his campaign, positioning himself as a staunch opponent to the former president. His campaign slogan, “F—- around and find out,” was used in a TV ad that cast him as a challenger to Trump, the gun lobby, and the systems that have long denied justice.
Although labor unions were divided between Krasner and Dugan during the primary, Krasner maintained strong support from progressives, reformers, and key figures within Philadelphia’s Black political community.
