By Jack Tomczuk
Too Short’s song “Blow the Whistle” blared from Larry Krasner’s phone as he walked out of his Center City office Wednesday morning to speak to reporters, a day after a landslide election victory that secured him a third term as Philadelphia’s district attorney.
“This is a hell of a team,” said Krasner, a progressive Democrat who has focused on reshaping the prosecutor’s office since taking the reins in 2018. “Yeah, this is a three-peat.”
Voters overwhelmingly supported the incumbent Tuesday. Krasner earned 76% of the ballots and received in excess of 180,000 more votes than his challenger, Pat Dugan, who fell to Krasner in May’s primary before accepting the GOP nomination.
A coordinated Republican write-in campaign allowed Dugan the opportunity at a rematch, even though he dismissed the possibility of appearing on the GOP ticket in the run-up to the May race.
Dugan, a former Municipal Court judge, fared worse in the most recent contest. His vote share stood Wednesday at 24%, compared to nearly 36% in the spring primary, according to data from the City Commissioners.
Preliminary results show he was unable to attract enough support outside of traditional conservative strongholds. He won a majority in only 10 of the city’s 66 political wards, primarily in Northeast Philadelphia.
Dugan had harsh words for Krasner during his concession speech Tuesday night.
“I got fewer votes than Larry Krasner,” he said. “But make no mistake about it, Larry Krasner did not win this election. The truth won. Because throughout this campaign, Larry Krasner was finally exposed for what he is, a despicable, uncaring, heartless human being.”
Krasner, in remarks Wednesday morning, made no mention of Dugan. Instead, he took aim at a familiar foe.
“Donald Trump, are you listening?” he said, echoing the comments of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. “You better turn up the volume, because Philadelphia is talking to you. Harrisburg, are you listening? I encourage you to turn up the volume, because Philadelphia is talking to you.”
He spoke of a “new politics” in the Democratic Party that welcomes in progressive and reform-minded candidates from outside the traditional channels. Mamdani presents himself as a democratic socialist.
“The American people, Philadelphians are tired of insiders who promise them things they don’t do,” Krasner said. “They’re tired of political dynasties. Ask Andrew Cuomo about that. They’re tired of hearing the same last names generation after generation, whether it’s Bush or even Casey – and I voted for Bob Casey.”
The district attorney said his team is developing policies for his third term, starting with “more safety and more freedom.” He encouraged residents to email ideas and suggestions to justice@phila.gov.
“For now, we’re going back to work,” Krasner added, as he flipped on his phone, resumed “Blow the Whistle,” and walked back inside without taking any questions, angering members of the press.