A coalition of Philadelphia’s most influential labor organizations — including some with a long history of backing Democrats — gathered this morning in solid support of Judge Pat Dugan’s campaign for District Attorney, marking a seismic shift in the city's traditional electoral politics.
The press conference, held at the Local 22 Union Hall, featured passionate endorsements from leaders of public safety, transport, and trade unions, all rallying behind Dugan over the embattled incumbent, Larry Krasner, whose tenure has been dogged by persistent scandals and growing frustration within union ranks.
The endorsement roster transcended partisan lines and union specialties. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder were Mike Bresnan, President of the Philadelphia Firefighters and Paramedics IAFF Local 22, Mark Lynch of the powerhouse Electricians Local 98, Steve Weiler of FOP Lodge 5 representing city police and sheriff’s officers, Ray Morini of Sprinkler Fitters 692, Transit Workers Union President Joe Coccio, and Jim O’Mara from Teamsters Local 107.
This united front emphasized a central theme: Philadelphia’s public safety crisis demands urgent, nonpartisan action, and Dugan is the candidate who will deliver.
“We have always supported leaders who put working families and safety first,” said Mike Bresnan, speaking on behalf of thousands of city firefighters and medics. “This election is not about party, it’s about public safety.” His words were met with applause from a packed hall of union members and media.
Mark Lynch of Local 98 was equally emphatic in his rationale: “If the city’s open for business, people will come here. For that to happen, the city needs to be safe, which is why we are endorsing Judge Dugan for DA.” The economic argument—tying public safety directly to job creation and prosperity—was echoed by other speakers, who referenced a growing climate of fear undermining worker confidence and the city’s business environment.
Frontline concerns took center stage as Joe Coccio from the Transit Workers Union described a workforce “sick of having our members assaulted and even killed. Larry’s had a chance for 8 years and failed miserably.” Teamsters Local 107 President Jim O’Mara painted an even bleaker portrait: “You know it’s time for a change when your members are out buying kevlar vests to do their job.”
Steve Weiler of FOP Lodge 5 brought the point home: “We need to protect our police officers so they can protect you. In order to do that, we need to elect Pat Dugan as DA.” Each union leader stressed that the current administration’s policies had jeopardized the safety of both their members and the city at large, saying their memberships—spanning retired and current workers—were mobilizing to get out the vote, with Local 98 alone pledging 800 members to election day canvassing.
Joining the union heads was State Representative Martina White, who declared her pride in standing with Dugan, reinforcing the rare bipartisan flavor of the day. When Judge Dugan finally addressed the crowd, he invoked his deep union roots — recalling how his grandfather, a Local 22 firefighter, was killed in the line of duty in 1944, and citing Teamsters and FOP members in his immediate family.
“Leave the political jerseys at home,” Dugan said. “I’m not running as a D or an R, but for ALL Philadelphians.” His call for unity and focus on results, not party labels, resonated powerfully with the diverse crowd, many of whom wore union insignia but displayed no campaign colors.
When pressed by reporters regarding their mobilization plans, each union chief stressed that members, both retired and active, would be working precincts and phone banks up to and throughout election day, with the scale and coordination reminiscent of high-stakes national campaigns.
The unified endorsement by these traditionally Democratic and politically potent unions signifies a clear rebuke to incumbent Larry Krasner, whose controversial policies and high-profile scandals have led to rifts with both law enforcement and the blue-collar base. This realignment around Judge Dugan, who has consistently spotlighted public safety as his top priority, could mark a turning point in the city’s criminal justice politics as voters head to the polls.
With the city’s union ranks fully mobilized, public safety at the forefront, and political lines blurred, tomorrow’s DA election stands as a litmus test for both Philadelphia’s labor movement and its future direction — a powerful reminder that in crisis, old alliances can be rewritten in pursuit of common ground.
