HARRISBURG, Pa. — Philadelphia’s District Attorney Larry Krasner is making strides in his campaign for a third term amidst a backdrop of nationwide efforts to challenge and remove progressive prosecutors. Despite enduring a failed impeachment process and ongoing criticism, Krasner remains undeterred. He confidently positions himself against former President Donald Trump’s second-term objectives, promoting reforms that have garnered the support of Philadelphia’s Democratic base, especially its influential Black political circles. With decreasing crime rates in Philadelphia and other cities, Krasner stands on a platform bolstered by successes in both public safety and justice reforms.
Krasner attributes certain campaigns against progressive prosecutors, including suspensions by officials like Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis, to authoritarian, racist, and misogynistic motives. He argues these efforts often target marginalized groups, notably young Black female prosecutors. Krasner emphasizes a tough stance on violent crime and insists the progressive wave still holds considerable sway across the country. He sees Philadelphia as a beacon of progress in justice and safety, paralleling a national trend of reduced crime rates in 2024. These achievements follow a sharp increase in crime rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, a phenomenon unrelated to local prosecutorial policies, according to research.
Previously, Krasner was elected on a platform opposing the death penalty, reforming cash bail, and addressing mass incarceration — a stance that faced heightened scrutiny during the pandemic as crime rates escalated nationwide. The increase was broadly attributed to various socioeconomic disruptions rather than specific prosecutorial policies; research found no direct correlation between progressive policies and crime surges. However, this period became a political opportunity for Republicans to criticize progressive prosecutors, portraying them as emblematic of a lenient Democratic stance on crime.
Highlighting figures such as George Soros, who backed many progressive candidates, the GOP targeted these prosecutors across several states. High-profile electoral setbacks occurred; for instance, California’s Chesa Boudin and George Gascon faced tough campaigns, and Kim Foxx in Chicago chose not to seek reelection. However, despite challenges, not all progressives were ousted. Florida’s Monique Worrell successfully won reelection despite gubernatorial intervention, and Georgia’s Fani Willis weathered significant political pressure to secure another term while leading key legal battles.
Krasner’s battles in Pennsylvania included a significant but ultimately unsuccessful impeachment effort led by a Republican-controlled House. The state Senate never advanced the articles, and the process was later nullified by the state Supreme Court, critiquing procedural aspects without addressing the substantive accusations. Meanwhile, crime rates in Philadelphia have been in decline, reflecting broader national trends. The city’s current trajectory predicts fewer homicides than any year since Krasner began his tenure, and the jail population has significantly decreased.
As he campaigns for another term, Krasner focuses on innovative crime-solving techniques and maintaining a strong pro-public safety stance, demonstrating a serious commitment to tackling serious crimes. His competitor in the Democratic primary, Pat Dugan, criticizes Krasner’s methods, alleging inefficiency and under-preparedness within his office. Dugan portrays the race as a referendum on Krasner’s crime strategies, simplifying them into the moniker “Let ’em Go Larry.” In response, Krasner anchors his campaign in defending democracy against the fallout of Trump’s critiques, arguing the elections are crucial for maintaining judicial integrity and democratic norms.