Candidate Profile｜Pat Dugan (Democratic Party)
Position Running For
District Attorney of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Party
Democratic Party
Candidate Biography
Pat Dugan is a decorated military veteran and former President Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. Appointed in 2007 by Governor Ed Rendell, he was elected in 2009 and retained in 2015 and 2021. In 2019, he was chosen by his peers to serve as President Judge, a position he held through the end of 2024. Dugan led the court through the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, and a major cyberattack, establishing diversionary programs that have become national models, such as the Philadelphia Veterans Court and the Eviction Diversion Program.
He served over 23 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve as an airborne infantryman, Civil Affairs specialist, and JAG officer. A highly decorated veteran, Dugan earned over two dozen awards including the Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, and Expert Infantryman’s Badge.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dugan is a family man and lifelong community member. He lives in Northeast Philly with his wife Nancy, sharing a blended family of six children and twelve grandchildren. He earned his law degree from Rutgers-Camden and previously practiced law with a focus on vulnerable populations.
Top Policy Priorities
- Gun Crime Prosecution: Substantially reduce dismissed gun-related cases and increase convictions of violent offenders.
- Community-Based Justice: Restructure the DAO into six regional divisions with localized focus and accountability.
- Recruitment & Training: Hire and mentor local law school graduates with strong community ties and commitment to justice.
Unique Qualifications & Strengths
- Elected President Judge by 27 fellow judges
- Founded Philadelphia Veterans Court with recidivism rates under 10%
- Spearheaded the Eviction Diversion Program that protected 46,000+ households
- Created “Covid Court” during the pandemic to ensure justice continued
- Appointed to PA Supreme Court’s Judicial Ethics Advisory Board in 2022
- Committed to both restorative justice and public accountability
Endorsements & Election Context
- Commended by Philadelphia GOP chair Vince Fenerty as honest, fair, and open-minded
- Running in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary against incumbent Larry Krasner in what is considered a battleground race
- Seen as a challenger emphasizing public safety, justice reform, and restoring community trust
Patrick F. Dugan, a member of the Democratic Party, is running for election as Philadelphia District Attorney in Pennsylvania. He will appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary on May 20, 2025. Dugan currently serves as the President Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court and is known for his judicial experience and leadership in the local legal system.
