A former local government judge in Philadelphia, who faced off against prosecutors in the city’s Democratic primary in May, announced over the weekend that he plans to register for the Republican elections this November. His aim is to shift attention towards urban crime.
Patrick Dugan, a judge from the far northeastern part of Philadelphia, managed to receive enough write-in votes during the May election, even though Republicans weren’t actively participating in the primary. They do plan to run under the party’s banner come November.
It wasn’t until the weekend that Dugan formally declared he would be representing the GOP, hoping to unseat Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.
In a surprising move, Trump claimed control of the Washington, D.C. police station on Monday, likening his actions to those in several capitals across Central America, taking advantage of a 48-hour loophole allowed under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973.
Dugan expressed in a statement that he anticipates Krasner will attempt to label him as “extremist,” yet remarked, “his record is filled with mistakes, which we can’t worry about defending, especially given the surge in crime his policies have produced.”
“People in Philadelphia are aware. What they see is escalating crime, rampant drugs, abandoned victims, gunfire ringing out, and more offenders on the streets,” Dugan stated.
Interestingly, earlier jurors noted he was aligned with the Republicans but categorized himself as an “independent Democrat.” This wasn’t enough for Bob Brady, the influential Philadelphia Democratic leader, who branded Dugan a “stigma” in the party.
“He has zero integrity… he’s no longer with us… Our party doesn’t need liars,” said the former council member.
If Dugan’s write-in strategy proves effective, Krasner might face a tougher reelection campaign. The Associated Press reported that incumbents in the Krasner-Dugan primary received at least 60% of the votes, while Dugan still garnered 53,000 Democratic votes and a surprising 6,400 posts.
Pennsylvania operates as a closed primary state, meaning those votes could have come from Republicans, although this isn’t clear-cut.
On Saturday, Dugan declared he aspires to serve as the DA for “everyone in Philadelphia,” regardless of their party affiliations. “I can’t just stand by and let Mr. Krasner’s failed policies continue to hold our cities hostage. This fall, every Philadelphian has a genuine option,” he remarked.
Vince Fennati, the Philly GOP Chair, emphasized that residents now have a “real choice” between Dugan and Krasner.
Pennsylvania Senator Joe Picozzi hailed Dugan as a “proven leader,” noting that “the latter Krasner’s launch” is his top priority. Picozzi himself had switched parties, surprising many as a Republican senator in a state historically dominated by Democrats.
Dugan has criticized the acceptance of Democrats in Republican circles, arguing that since Krasner’s rise, Philadelphia has been grappling with crime concerns, particularly regarding Krasner’s stance against prosecuting certain lower-level offenses.
During the George Floyd protests, Krasner’s office made over 550 arrests related to looting, suggesting he would “energetically prosecute” offenders, even as some critics remarked that many perpetrators evaded consequences.
Despite these claims, data shows that violent crime has actually decreased by about 17% in recent years, although critics argue based on a trend of dropped charges on various offenses.
Trump has previously slammed Krasner as “the worst district attorney,” urging Philadelphians to “find a new prosecutor” during a rally back in 2019.
In a January statement, Krasner pushed back against Trump, asserting that decisions regarding arrests and prosecutions are based on evidence rather than aligning with personal political stances.
He noted, “Unlike the current president, who has faced legal convictions yet continues to operate, my office remains committed to upholding the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law.”
