Larry Krasner unlikely to do a televised debate ahead of May primary
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Philadelphia's Democratic primary for district attorney is in the home stretch, but voters are unlikely to see the two candidates go head-to-head in a live televised debate.
Why it matters: A TV debate would put the biggest spotlight on the most significant local race this election year.
Driving the news: District Attorney Larry Krasner and challenger Pat Dugan have yet to agree to a televised debate ahead of the May 20 primary.
- So far, Krasner and Dugan have only done candidate forums together.
- Meanwhile, Dugan began airing television ads yesterday, which are appearing on CNN and MSNBC in the city.
The big picture: The May Democratic primary will likely determine who will become the city's next top prosecutor.
- No Republican candidates are running in the primary. And even if a third-party candidate enters the race later this summer, the Democrat would be heavily favored to win in deep-blue Philly.
State of play: Krasner is planning to attend an in-person candidate forum on Tuesday, hosted by WHYY, Committee of Seventy and the Philadelphia Bar Association.
- The forum will be livestreamed on WHYY's YouTube and Facebook pages, but won't be aired live on the NPR affiliate's television channel, WHYY spokesperson Tory Harris tells Axios.
- And Krasner won't take part in a live debate on CBS3 that was proposed for next week, campaign spokesperson Anthony Campisi tells Axios.
The other side: Dugan campaign manager Daniel Kalai tells Axios won't commit to the WHYY forum unless Krasner also takes part in a debate on network television.
A CBS3 spokesperson declined to comment.
- But the spokesperson forwarded Axios a statement from the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, which was partnering with the station on the event, that said the debate was canceled.
The intrigue: Krasner is planning on showing up to next week's candidate forum even if Dugan doesn't, Campisi says.
- Spokespeople for WHYY and the Bar Association tell Axios the forum remains on schedule.
Campisi says the Krasner campaign was never going to take part in three debates and preferred the WHYY forum for several reasons, including its moderators, timing and format.
What we're watching: FOX29 also proposed to host a pre-taped debate between Krasner and Dugan, Campisi says.
Context: Debates are a hallmark of the election process but not a guarantee in Philly.
- Krasner, who is seeking a third consecutive term, refused to debate his GOP challenger in the 2021 general election.
- Mayor Cherelle Parker took part in only one televised debate in the general election against her Republican opponent.
By the numbers: With five weeks to go until the primary, Krasner was trailing Dugan in campaign cash, per the city's campaign finance reports.
Editor's note: This story was updated with the Dugan campaign's current position on taking part in the WHYY candidate forum.