A headshot of Judge Patrick Dugan that was used for his campaign. Credit: Facebook (Judge Pat Dugan for District Attorney)
In a recent conversation with Broad + Liberty, Judge Patrick F. Dugan, who previously challenged incumbent District Attorney Larry Krasner in the Democratic primary, explained that his current run for Philadelphia’s DA isn’t a shift to the Republican Party - as his ballot status might suggest - but a continuation of his commitment to the city’s voters across party lines.
Through a write-in campaign, he secured the Republican nomination and is now positioning himself as an independent Democrat, appealing to Democrats, Republicans, independents, and even non-voters as a unifying candidate for all Philadelphians.
Dugan brings significant courtroom and leadership experience to his campaign: he served 17 years as a judge - including five as President Judge - and played a foundational role in launching Philadelphia’s successful Veterans Court and a COVID Court, prioritizing access to justice during the pandemic.
His frustration with the DA’s office, particularly its high case withdrawal rate - he cited up to 95% withdrawals in his courtroom - motivated him to resign and challenge the current administration, arguing that it has failed to uphold its oath to prosecute fairly and fully.
Reflecting on lessons from his prior campaign, which suffered from low primary turnout (~20%), Dugan emphasizes the broader opportunity of the general election - now open to all voters regardless of party affiliation - and sees this as a chance for Philadelphia to choose true accountability instead of an uncontested continuation.
He pledges to take a tougher stance on violent crime like armed robbery and carjackings, while still supporting restorative justice for nonviolent offenders - a balance, he argues, that Krasner’s office has increasingly abandoned.
Read the full interview from Broad + Liberty here.
