Patrick Dugan to run as Republican in Philly DA rematch with Larry Krasner

Larry Krasner will have a general election opponent after all. 

In the race for Philadelphia District Attorney, Judge Patrick Dugan is planning on the second time being the charm against incumbent Larry Krasner. Dugan announced on Saturday that he’ll appear as a Republican on the general election ballot – following his loss to Krasner in the Democratic primary – after what Dugan’s campaign described as a “historic write-in effort” and support from Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike. 

The former municipal court judge said he’ll file the necessary paperwork on Monday, Aug. 11, to appear on the Nov. 4 general election ballot for district attorney. 

“If elected, I will be a District Attorney for all of Philadelphia – Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike. I’m running for every Philadelphian who wants real safety, real justice, and real accountability regardless of political belief or personal background,” Dugan said in a statement Saturday. “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.”

Dugan, who pitched himself during the primary as a much-needed alternative to Krasner, was unable to unseat Krasner in May despite being well-funded and garnering endorsements from the powerful Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council and other unions.

His campaign didn’t immediately respond to comment on whether the Philadelphia Republican Party is directly supporting Dugan’s candidacy. 

During the primary election, Krasner took an early lead over Dugan as soon as polls closed and won by a 60-40 margin – nearly 17,000 votes. 

Dugan, who avoided the “tough-on-crime” label, pitched himself as the alternative to Krasner by promising to deliver justice and equity through diversionary programs while still convicting retail theft and gun cases – two areas where Dugan said Krasner has failed the city.

In his announcement Saturday, Dugan reiterated that the city is facing “rampant lawlessness” under Krasner’s leadership. 

“Mr. Krasner will call me names like extremist and try to compare me to President Trump because he knows his record is one of failure and he cannot defend the rampant crime his policies have caused. I know that Philadelphians are smart enough to believe their eyes…and what they see is more crime, more drugs, more victims abandoned, more shootings, and more criminals let loose on the streets,” Dugan said in the statement.

Bob Brady, chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic Party, said that it’s a “total disgrace” for Dugan to run in the general election, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.  “He’s got zero integrity. Zero,” Brady said, noting Dugan’s past commitment not to run as a Republican.

“He’s out of the party. He’s got to register Republican,” Brady said. “That’s fine with me. I don’t need liars in our party.”