Judge Patrick Dugan: Philadelphia District Attorney Candidate Profile

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia District Attorney's race this year is shaping up to be one to watch.

Incumbent DA Larry Krasner defeated challenger Judge Patrick Dugan in the primary earlier this year.

However, Dugan, a Democrat, has since accepted the Republican nomination in his effort to wrest control from Krasner in the general election.

Get to know Dugan's stances on criminal justice in Philadelphia below:

Name: Judge Patrick Dugan
Age: 65
Gender: Male
Location/Town: Philadelphia
Party: Democrat running on the Republican ticket
Campaign website: judgeduganforda.com
TikTok, Instagram, X: @duganforda
Facebook: @judgeduganforda

The events that unfolded during the primary demonstrate a split among Democrats when it comes to this race. Why do you think that is, and what can you offer as a candidate to address that divide?

The split among Democrats unfolded in the primary because our current District Attorney, Larry Krasner, doesn’t prosecute violent criminals. Many Democrats, like myself, are tired of it. Krasner is a former civil rights attorney and claims to be progressive, but as DA, he’s more like the fox in the henhouse.

My approach as Philadelphia’s DA will be much more balanced. I will hold violent criminals accountable while simultaneously establishing and expanding restorative and rehabilitation programs for nonviolent first-time offenders who deserve a second chance.

I will hold violent criminals accountable while simultaneously establishing and expanding restorative and rehabilitation programs for those who deserve a second chance.

Not just within the Democratic party, but with Republican, Independent, and Working Families voters alike, this commonsense approach to public safety will bring Philadelphians together.

What are the most pressing issues constituents bring up to you when discussing criminal justice in the city?

The most critical concern I hear in every neighborhood I visit is that the current District Attorney’s Office’s failure to prosecute violent criminals has led to a feeling of lawlessness and vulnerability.

Under Krasner, less serious crimes, like retail and motor vehicle theft, are being treated as virtually legal – businesses and private citizens alike are directly hurt by this. In these cases, victims are left feeling voiceless and ignored due to the DA's ineptness and purposeful policies.

For violent crimes, innocent people are being slaughtered because of a revolving door justice system that puts violent offenders back on our streets. The recent Kada Scott tragedy is the latest and most notable example of the failure of the DAO’s current approach.

Do you feel the relationship between the DA's office and the Philadelphia Police Department rank and file is in good standing? If not, what do you plan to do to mend the relationship? If yes, what has been working to bolster the relationship?

The current relationship between the District Attorney's Office and the Philadelphia Police Department rank and file is horrible. It directly undermines public safety. Fixing this shouldn’t be hard. My DAO will work together with the PPD, not against them.

I will also change the culture and approach of the DA's office in how we interface with police and other local leaders. I plan to divide the DA's office into six geographic divisions, each with a dedicated senior prosecutor who will work directly with police districts and community members in their zone. This localized structure will restore trust between the PPD and DAO and allow officers to do their jobs effectively.

Camden had a record zero homicides in summer 2025, what can Philadelphia learn from its neighbor in reducing homicides?

Camden has a population of around 71,400, which is similar to the population of a neighborhood in Philly. So far this year, it’s reportedly had 8 murders. That would mean its murder rate so far is around 11.2 per 100,000 people.

According to the PPD, Philadelphia has had 188 murders so far in 2025. When looking at Philadelphia’s population of around 1,575,000, that would mean the murder rate is around 11.9 per 100,000 people.

We should wait until the statistics are final at the end of the year to draw conclusions, but as of right now, both our cities appear to be on the same pace.

Why should Philadelphians vote for you?

Philadelphians should vote for me because, after two terms, it’s safe to say Larry Krasner has failed them. Krasner’s strategy has been to coddle criminals and let them go without real consequences. It’s time for that to stop.

I offer proven leadership and a comprehensive plan to make our city safer. I’m a former CEO, decorated 23-year Army veteran, and have served as a judge in this city for 17 years. During the last five years of my tenure as a judge, I was elected president by my peers. In short, I know what our city needs, and I’m determined to get us on the right track.

But perhaps most importantly, beyond Krasner’s failures, or how qualified I am to be DA - I love this city more than anything. It’s made me everything that I am, and I think it shows. My family has been here for generations, and 12 of my 13 grandchildren reside here. This city isn’t a stepping stool for me to further a political career, it is my home. It will always be my home. I want to be DA so we can have a better future in our home for our children. Nothing more.