Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner seeks a third term

The big picture: The race for district attorney is one of several on the ballot in the May 20 primary, along with city controller, judge of elections and inspector of elections.

Driving the news: From community-access TV station PhillyCAM on Tuesday, Krasner launched his bid to seek the Democratic ticket in the primary.

• He's backed by a diverse coalition of establishment elected officials, progressive leaders, activists and Laborers' Local 332.

What he's saying: Krasner branded himself as a defender of democracy who would protect city residents against threats from the Trump administration.

• "We're going to make sure that [Trump's] little plan to take over America fails," he said.

The intrigue: Former municipal court judge Patrick Dugan is the only other Democrat so far to launch a bid for district attorney. But Dugan could prove a significant challenger to Krasner.

• The former judge has the backing of the Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council — a politically powerful group of more than two dozen unions with deep pockets that's headed by business manager Ryan Boyer.

Context: Boyer, who's co-chairing Dugan's campaign, helped get Mayor Cherelle Parker elected.

Zoom out: Krasner's reelection bid comes as the city is seeing steep declines in homicides after they spiked to historic highs during the pandemic.

• Meanwhile, other violent crimes in the city, as well as property crimes like retail theft, are on the rise so far this year compared with the same time in 2024, per city police data.

Catch up quick: Krasner was a civil rights attorney before winning his first election for district attorney in 2017.

• He faced a weak primary challenger in 2021 and cruised to reelection.
• Since taking office, he's put in place several progressive criminal justice reforms and his office has exonerated more than 40 wrongfully convicted prisoners.

What's next: Campaigns have until the March 11 deadline to file their nomination petitions to get on the May ballot.