Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has secured the Democratic nomination for a third term, defeating challenger Pat Dugan in Tuesday’s primary election.
However, the race may not be over, as Dugan, a former Municipal Court judge, is poised to appear on the November ballot as the Republican nominee through a write-in campaign - assuming he accepts it.
Krasner, known for his progressive reforms aimed at reducing incarceration and enhancing police accountability, won the primary with approximately 61% of the vote. His victory underscores continued support among Philadelphia Democrats for his approach to criminal justice.
The voting also appeared to play out across neighborhood lines. Krasner won easily in North Philadelphia as well as neighborhoods in Northwest, West and Southwest Philadelphia, while Dugan's strength was in the Northeast and in South Philly.
Despite his primary loss, Dugan's campaign can continue - if he wants it to do so.
The Philadelphia Republican Party, lacking its own candidate, initiated a write-in campaign encouraging GOP voters to nominate Dugan. If he receives at least 1,000 certified write-in votes, Dugan would qualify as the Republican nominee for the general election .
Dugan has previously stated he would decline the Republican nomination if offered. However, with an expectation that more than 6,000 GOP write-in votes were cast, the possibility of his candidacy in November remains, if he reconsiders his stance - which Republicans are hoping he will do.
This potential rematch would set the stage for a unique general election, pitting Krasner's progressive platform against Dugan's more traditional approach to law enforcement - and with all of Philadelphia voters being able to weigh in, not just registered Democrats.
Dugan would still be an underdog in that scenario, but he'd have a puncher's chance. And if the numbers look more favorable with Republican voters having a legitimate option that's not Krasner, it wouldn't surprise if some outside money would be funneled into his campaign to try and close a narrowed gap,
As the city awaits official certification of the write-in votes, and to see if Dugan changes his mind about accepting the GOP nomination, the dynamics of Philadelphia's district attorney race could evolve further.
