Former Philadelphia judge Patrick Dugan will announce he will run for district attorney with the support of politically influential construction unions, becoming the first candidate to formally announce a bid for the city’s top prosecutor and setting up a likely contest with progressive incumbent Larry Krasner .
Dugan, a longtime Philadelphia Municipal Court judge who resigned last month amid rumors that he planned to run for district attorney, will announce his campaign for the Democratic nomination at the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council on Tuesday, as follows from the release news.
Krasner, a two-term district attorney, is expected to seek a third term but has not formally announced a re-election campaign. Krasner’s criminal justice reform agenda has faced criticism throughout his term, including his impeachment in 2022 under the Republican-led Pennsylvania House.
Dugan’s candidacy was no secret – he is the only candidate who has submitted the documents needed to run for district attorney in the city. And on New Year’s Day, signs reading “Judge Pat Dugan for District Attorney” and “Fire Krasner” were spotted near City Hall.
There are rumors that several other candidates are interested in the race, but none have announced campaigns before the May primary. One potential candidate, former city councilor Derek Green, said last week he would not run.
The Philadelphia Building and Construction Council, a union umbrella organization, has deep pockets and is credited with playing a major role in Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s successful 2023 campaign. The group is chaired by Ryan N. Boyer, a close ally of Parker’s.
It’s unclear how much money the group plans to contribute to the district attorney race this year.
Krasner declined to comment on Dugan’s candidacy, saying only: “I wish anyone who wants to run for DA a fair fight and a fair election, and I hope there will be a strong exchange of views on public safety.”
Dugan was first appointed to the city’s Municipal Court in 2007 and was re-elected after his first term. He had served as judge president since 2019, and in 2023 he unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the state Supreme Court.
