On Friday, December 6, 2024, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Judge Patrick F. Dugan, a long-serving judge on the Philadelphia Municipal Court, officially resigned from his position and is set to launch a campaign for the role of district attorney. Dugan, who is 64 years old, communicated his resignation in a letter to Governor Josh Shapiro, indicating that his last day in office would be December 11.

The specifics surrounding Dugan’s resignation were not disclosed in the letter, but sources close to him have revealed his intention to challenge current District Attorney Larry Krasner in the upcoming Democratic primary. This decision comes after months of speculation regarding Dugan’s interest in the race. Due to restrictions preventing sitting judges from engaging in political activities, Dugan’s resignation was necessary to formally initiate his campaign.

Dugan is anticipated to announce his candidacy soon, as he prepares to enter a competitive primary race scheduled for May 20, 2024. Larry Krasner has expressed interest in seeking re-election, although he has not made a public declaration regarding his campaign intentions. Other potential candidates for the Democratic primary include defense attorney Charles Gibbs and Kendra McCrae-Kane, a criminal defense lawyer who previously ran for a judge position in 2019. McCrae-Kane has confirmed her serious consideration of a run for district attorney.

Judge Dugan was appointed to the Municipal Court in 2007 by then-Governor Ed Rendell and successfully ran for a full term two years later. His recent campaign for a seat on the Superior Court bench ended without success last year. Dugan has held significant roles within the court system, including a five-year term as president judge of the Municipal Court, a position he was elected to by his peers in 2019. During his tenure, he managed the court’s administrative functions, including the scheduling of thousands of cases each year, covering a wide range of criminal and civil matters.

Dugan’s leadership was particularly notable during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he navigated the challenges of court closures, case backlogs, and the transition to remote hearings. In his resignation letter, Dugan reflected on his 17 years of experience in the courtroom, emphasizing his commitment to balancing the interests of victims and defendants.

A Philadelphia native, Dugan has a background in the U.S. Army and reserves, including service in Iraq and Afghanistan. His military experience led him to establish Philadelphia’s Veterans Court in 2010, aimed at providing support for veterans facing legal issues. Dugan’s personal background includes roots in Frankford, education at local schools, and a family that includes six children and twelve grandchildren.

 

 

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer