Meet Philadelphia district attorney candidate Pat Dugan
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Pat Dugan. Photo: Courtesy of the Dugan campaign
Pat Dugan is a Democrat running in Tuesday's primary for Philadelphia district attorney.
Meet the candidate: Dugan, 64, is a veteran and former municipal court judge.
🏡 What neighborhood do you live in? Chalfont
What's one Philly thing voters don't know about you? As a white man living in Northeast Philly, many people assume that my family is white, but I have a very blended family.
- My son and my grandchildren are people of color, and I have family members who are LGBTQ; protecting their rights and equality has always been important to me.
Do you support the death penalty? Yes (✅) or no (❌)
- ❌ No
💰 Do you support the use of reduced or no cash bail for some offenses? Yes (✅) or no (❌)
- ✅ Yes
Do you support the new "wellness court" in Kensington, which operates outside the district attorney's office? Yes (✅) or no (❌)
- ✅ Yes
📝 Explain your answer. Unless the district attorney is willing to work with the police and mayor to ensure this program is well implemented, I think it will fail. This program needs the district attorney to be a willing partner.
What's your stance on assisting federal immigration agents in Philly? I will not allow federal immigration agents to harass, intimidate, or illegally arrest Philadelphians, and I will ensure Philadelphians know their rights.
💡 What's 1 big idea you want to bring to the district attorney's office? I want to restore the public trust in the office.
🔨 What's 1 reform you want to bring to the city's criminal justice system and why? As a judge, I saw the positive impact that diversion programs brought to our communities.
- Larry Krasner has cut critical programs like Project Dawn's Court, but if I am elected, I will bring these diversion programs back and ensure we invest our time and resources into these lifesaving programs.
Sum up your approach to leading the district attorney's office in 7 words or less. Support victims, hold criminals accountable, second chances.
And of course, why do you want to be district attorney? We deserve a district attorney who believes in second chances but who will also hold violent offenders accountable and run their office with integrity and efficiency to make us safer.
Go deeper: Meet Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner