Growing up in Northeast Philadelphia, Sean Dougherty always wanted to be a trial lawyer.
His first job after graduating from Temple University Law School in 2019 was as a law clerk for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He later worked as a public defender in Philadelphia.
State Rep. Kevin Boyle (Philadelphia) was expected to be the only Democratic candidate on the ballot in the 172nd House District, but after A video surfaced of him threatening a bartender in February, Dougherty collected enough petitions to vote to challenge him.
Dougherty, the son of state Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty and nephew of John Dougherty, who previously led IBEW Local 98 in Philadelphia, defeated Boyle, the brother of U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-2nd District), for the nomination of the Democratic Party.
The the priorities page of Dougherty’s campaign website focuses on keeping communities sheltered, funding schools and teachers, creating well-paying jobs, and protecting reproductive freedom.
Dougherty, who describes himself as “the guy next door,” said he treated the campaign for the seat against Republican Aizaz Gill like a jury trial, adding that you have to be as prepared as possible, outwork your opponent and “put everything into your hands.” popular.”
He beat Gill just below 500 votesor just under 2% to help Democrats maintain a single-seat majority in the House of Representatives. This was the closest House race this year in Pennsylvania.
Dougherty said his goal is “not just to maintain, but to improve the quality of life” in Northeast Philadelphia and to address public safety concerns that many district residents shared with him.
Northeast Philadelphia is also home to a part of the city where President-elect Donald Trump has benefited from previous elections and has moved to the right in recent years. Dougherty said he thinks people are “just tired of the same old same old” and that district residents are willing to split their seats to vote for the candidate they think is best for them.
“It just shows the diversity in the district, but also the level of education in the district,” Dougherty said. “People know who they are voting for and they have their own particular reasons.”
Dougherty also emphasized that he would have no problem walking across the hall to work for the district.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Capital-Star: Tell us about the district and what makes it unique.
Cake: Northeast Philadelphia is different from the rest of the city. We are a class of hard-working individuals. Most of the district’s residents are police officers, firefighters, nurses and union workers. We have a huge immigrant population and a Southeast Asian population, but it’s a very diverse district with educated voters. They don’t necessarily vote for a party, they vote for a person, but they do their due diligence in their research and who they vote for.
Star capital: What is the most pressing problem facing the district?
Dougherty: : Definitely crime and public safety.
Capital-Star: Can you elaborate on that?
Dougherty: : Just because there has been an increase, a noticeable increase in crime, especially in the area with car thefts, car break-ins, car thefts. Last year, there was a very unfortunate incident involving a shooting involving students at Northeast High School. It was terrible. During this campaign, I was fortunate and honored to receive the support of our Philadelphia Police Lodge 5, and from my conversations with police officers and some of its leaders, it is clear that this is about the Philadelphia police searching for bodies. People leave the Philadelphia Police Department to work in suburban counties or leave altogether.
When I talk to neighbors, people say all the time that their biggest problems are crime and fear for safety. They don’t see the police presence. It’s not necessarily about making more arrests, but just that feeling of comfort when you walk out the door and see a police car coming, it’s just an attempt at deterrence, but also to make sure it makes the neighborhood feel safer.
Capital-Star: What is your top legislative priority after taking the oath of office in January? Can you talk about specific bills you might introduce or support?
Cake: So the top legislative priority will be whatever the district needs, but definitely anything I can do to help crime and public safety.
Health care is actually one of my top priorities. There is also a bill that really interests me. This is the COLA for police and fire departments, police officers and firefighters. So I really want to be there, listen more, talk less, learn, because I will be running for the first time, but I will roll up my sleeves and get to work for the district.
