District Attorney Larry Krasner, one of the nation’s most progressive prosecutors, announced Tuesday that, despite his controversial career, he’s seeking a third term.
And that may create a headache for his fellow Keystone State Democrats.
Krasner was first elected Philadelphia’s DA in 2017, part of a class of far-left prosecutors helped into office with significant financial backing from progressive billionaire George Soros. The Soros “Open Society Foundation” has given millions to promote the “defund the police” movement, as well as efforts to lower or eliminate cash bail and promote “decarceration”– lowering the prison population.
In his announcement, Krasner took a swipe at Republican President Donald Trump, saying that in addition to being a district attorney, he would be a “democracy advocate” and hold the president accountable.
“There’s a couple of wannabe oligarchs and a there’s wannabe dictator who are going to figure out there’s more of us than of them. And they have a problem. Here’s the reality. We are going to win. This is like a disease. The fever is going to break. And when that fever breaks, we are going to be there to make sure this country continues on its course.”
Krasner pledged to continue his efforts to keep those charged and convicted of crimes from serving time in jail, including “expanding alternatives to prosecution,” “ending overly punitive sentences,” and “continuing the effort to end money bail and expand pre-trial release.”
Those may be popular ideas in urban Philadelphia, but Krasner’s campaign could add to the GOP’s narrative that Democrats are soft on crime. Political professionals expect Krasner’s name to be invoked by Republicans in campaigns from judgeships to local offices, the same way Democrats use Trump’s name in local races.
Krasner points to the crime rate as proof his approach is the right one.
“As of this morning, we have the lowest number of homicides in the last 15 years,” he said. Last year, there was the largest percent reduction in homicides “in Philadelphia history.”
Former Judge Patrick Dugan
“We led the nation in big cities in terms of improvements in public safety,” he said. As of Tuesday, there were 27 homicides in Philadelphia. By the same day last year, there were 41.
Last year, there were 269 homicides. The year before he took office, it was 315, he said.
Krasner is facing a formidable opponent in the May 20 Democratic primary: former Philadelphia Municipal Court President Judge Patrick Dugan. Dugan is a decorated former Army paratrooper who served in the 82nd Airborne Infantry. He also served as an Army JAG officer, retiring as a captain.
Dugan told DVJournal, “For the last seven years under District Attorney Larry Krasner, Philadelphia has seen nearly 2.900 homicides and nearly 10,000 shootings. This is a direct result of his 70 percent case withdrawal rate at times and the lowest gun conviction rates in decades.
“Larry claims he has made us safer. But the data shows that it is not the reality we live in every day. Larry is correct that murders are down right now for the year. But what he’s not saying is total violent crime is up over 50 percent, aggravated assaults are up 67 percent, robberies with a gun are up 42 percent, robberies without a gun are up 59 percent, and auto thefts are up 35 percent.
“People have not felt safe across our city for a very long time,” said Dugan. “Retail theft is up over 60 percent. Businesses and retail workers have not felt safe under his disastrous retail theft policies that have forced many Wawa, Rite Aid, CVS stores and many small businesses out of our city.
“I am running for DA to bring a more balanced approach to justice by holding criminals accountable, investing in proven diversion programs, and rebuilding geographical divisions in the office that will communicate often with victims and the community. I look forward to debating Larry on our very different approaches on public safety,” Dugan said.
Dugan received endorsements from numerous labor unions. However, the Philadelphia Democratic Party declined to endorse a DA candidate in the primary this year, which was seen as a snub to the incumbent.
A Democratic strategist told DVJournal on background that his party is open to an alternative.
“With all due respect to District Attorney Krasner, Philadelphia residents have lost their confidence in his ability to keep them safe. They’re looking for someone new who is willing to take a more assertive approach to prosecuting crime and putting criminals in jail. There may have been a time when Krasner’s approach was well-received, but that time has passed.”
And political consultant Jeff Jubelirer, with Bellevue Communications said, “Some Democrats want to support (and/or defend) Krasner. And some Democrats want to retire him from office. Statewide, I’d expect many would be in favor of Philadelphia having a new DA that would work in collaboration with them as well as bring a better sense of collegiality.
“I believe with county races that voters are focused hyper-locally. Thus I don’t sense that a Philadelphia DA’s race would have much impact on the race in Bucks County. I think [Bucks County DA Jennifer] Schorn is in a strong position to retain the seat and that she will also receive support from across party lines,” added Jubelirer.
Krasner was impeached by the state House. However, the state Supreme Court dismissed the impeachment last year before the state Senate could hold a trial.
Rep. Craig Williams (R-Chester/Delaware), a former federal prosecutor, served as impeachment manager.
Williams said, “Actual data shows that Philadelphia remains a dangerous place. According to the most recent report by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the rate of assault by firearm is 259 per 100,000 residents and robbery by firearm is 187 per 100,000 residents. That is more than four times higher than the state average.
“Over a recent 90-day period (November 14, 2024 to February 12, 2025), there were 933 aggravated assaults committed with a firearm and 678 robberies with a firearm in Philadelphia, according to the Philadelphia Police. It is clear that Larry Krasner has no intent on making Philadelphia safe. Enforcing our criminal code with rigor does not appear to be his priority. And the violence he sows in the city impacts our entire region.
“That is why I am reintroducing my bill to give the Pennsylvania Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute felon-in-possession of firearms cases. My bill also creates a multi-jurisdictional and multi-agency task force to handle all illegal gun-possession cases with the Department of Justice. My hope is that a committed attorney general and United States Attorney for the Philadelphia region will prosecute criminals that Larry Krasner would otherwise release. We fight crime through strength, not apathetic progressivism,” Williams said.
