Philadelphia's GOP sees an opening to unseat progressive DA Larry Krasner by backing Democrat Pat Dugan as a write-in candidate.

Republicans Launch Write-In Strategy to Extend Dugan’s Campaign

In a rare political maneuver, Philadelphia Republicans are rallying behind Democrat Pat Dugan, a former judge and primary challenger to incumbent District Attorney Larry Krasner. With Tuesday’s primary fast approaching, the GOP hopes to extend Dugan’s campaign into the general election via a write-in campaign that could give him a second shot at unseating Krasner in November.

Philadelphia remains one of the strongest Democratic strongholds in the country, with a six-to-one voter registration advantage. Despite that, Republicans—who have not won a mayoral race since the 1950s—see an opportunity in Dugan’s growing cross-party appeal, especially among residents critical of Krasner’s progressive criminal justice reforms.

Backed by Republican strategists, a website has been launched encouraging voters to write in Dugan’s name on the GOP primary ballot. If Dugan secures at least 1,000 write-in votes, state law dictates he will become the official Republican nominee in the general election unless he chooses to decline.

Dugan Gains Union, Democrat Support While Targeting Crime

Dugan’s platform emphasizes a tough-on-crime agenda with a focus on local accountability. His “geographic prosecution plan” proposes area-based prosecution teams aimed at addressing violent crime while promoting fairness and community engagement. “This plan is about more than just fighting crime—it’s about rebuilding communities,” Dugan stated, pledging to balance enforcement with rehabilitation and trust-building.

He has received endorsements from prominent Democrats including state Senator Tina Tartaglione and support from influential labor unions such as the Teamsters and IAFF. These endorsements underscore dissatisfaction within segments of the Democratic base over Krasner’s two-term tenure.

Opponents have increasingly pointed to what they call “Krasner fatigue.” Violent crime trends have drawn scrutiny, particularly the rise in homicides from 351 in 2018 to 562 in 2021. Although the number declined in 2023, critics cite lenient prosecutorial practices, elimination of cash bail for certain offenses, and non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement as key concerns.

Krasner, who is seeking a third term, has dismissed such criticisms and continues to frame his approach as part of a broader criminal justice reform movement. However, his policy decisions—including refusal to honor ICE detainer requests and elimination of charges for low-level offenses like marijuana possession—have drawn intense pushback from conservatives and centrists alike.

Soros Funding Fuels Further Debate

Krasner’s campaign has also attracted national attention due to financial backing from political action committees linked to billionaire George Soros. Approximately $1.45 million in support has fueled accusations that his office is driven by outside ideological influence rather than local public safety priorities.

Meanwhile, Dugan says the public is increasingly receptive to a change. “Many people come up to me and tell stories about how upset they are with some of the policies with the DA's office,” he told PhillyVoice last week.

The city’s Republican Party sees Dugan as a potential consensus candidate in a city where Republicans typically struggle to gain traction. “This is about making crime in Philadelphia illegal,” said PhillyGOP chair Vince Fenerty.

If the write-in campaign is successful, Dugan could become the Republican nominee for DA, providing an alternative to Krasner in the general election even if he fails to defeat him in the Democratic primary. Such a result would represent a rare bipartisan coalition in a city long dominated by one party, and could reshape the local conversation around criminal justice reform heading into November.