Andrew Yang’s Forward Party endorses Pat Dugan in Philadelphia district attorney race

With less than a month before Krasner v. Dugan Part II, the challenger has another group backing his campaign.

Former Municipal Judge Patrick Dugan announced Tuesday that the Forward Party, an independent third party founded by entrepreneur-turned-presidential-candidate Andrew Yang, has endorsed his campaign for Philadelphia district attorney. 

Dugan, now the Republican nominee for district attorney, filed to appear in the general election in August after losing handily to incumbent District Attorney Larry Krasner in the Democratic primary earlier this year. 

Dugan, who pitched himself during the primary as a much-needed alternative to Krasner, said he’s hopeful the endorsement will provide a jolt to the sleepy general election campaign to be Philadelphia’s top prosecutor.

Dugan initially received an endorsement from the powerful Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council and other unions to start the primary election season, as he tried to balance calls for public safety improvements with the need for criminal justice reforms. 

“Pat Dugan embodies what Forward stands for: commonsense leadership that puts people and communities ahead of party labels,” Kayla Berube, national political director for the Forward Party, said in a statement. “Philadelphians deserve a District Attorney who prosecutes violent crime fairly while expanding innovative diversion programs that actually help people rebuild their lives. Pat has proven he can deliver real results without the partisan games.”

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.

“I’m not running for any political party. I’m running as a Philadelphian for everyone in our city. Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Forward Party, non-voters, those who can’t vote yet — I’m running to serve everyone,” Dugan said in a statement. “This campaign is about restoring safety, fairness, and opportunity in every neighborhood. I’ve served my country and my city, and now I’m ready to serve again by making Philadelphia’s justice system work for everyone.”

Dugan has also received endorsements from labor organizations across the city, including Teamsters Joint Council 53, IBEW 98, Firefighters and Paramedics Local 22, Sprinklerfitters 692, TWU 234, Steamfitters 420 and Plumbers 690. 

Krasner defeated Dugan in the May primary by a 60-40 margin – nearly 17,000 votes.