After receiving the endorsement of Philadelphia Mayor Mr. Jim Kenney at City Hall on Thursday morning, Mr. Larry Krasner, out of the sight of television news cameras, made a stunning announcement. The Democratic nominee for District Attorney of Philadelphia, who has become a national public figure, vowed to try cases in court, if elected.
Traditionally, the District Attorney is more of an administrative job, while the Assistant District Attorneys are those who aim in the courtroom to prosecute the guilty. But Mr. Krasner, who’s considered quite the nontraditional candidate – he’s never ran for public office before and he strongly backs causes like the Black Lives Matter movement – said if he becomes the City’s top law enforcement officer, he’ll be prepared to do the hard job ADAs are asked to do.
“Traditionally, what DAs have done is run for higher office while others took care of business. I’m not interested in running for higher office, so I’d rather take care of business,” declared Mr. Krasner, who revealed to me that he’s willing to try a number of cases while serving as Philadelphia DA, including, but not limited to, those germane to police misconduct.
Mr. Krasner said his deputies should be willing to appear in court, too.
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The Mayor’s Reception Room was packed Thursday, and among the crowd were familiar faces: Philadelphia City Councilwoman Ms. Jannie Blackwell, State Senator Mr. Vincent Hughes, Former City Councilwoman Ms. Marian Tasco, State Representative Mr. Chris Rabb, Labor leader Mr. Henry Nicholas, and, of, course Mayor Kenney – all Democrats.
Some of the aforementioned names, like Mr. Rabb, had come out in the primary election to back Mr. Krasner. The Mayor, however, did not. And City Councilwoman Blackwell supported Mr. Tariq El-Shabazz, the former First Deputy to former District Attorney Mr. Seth Williams, who resigned from the office weeks ago after pleading guilty to corruption.
Mr. Krasner – who earlier this year was painted as the proverbial outsider and too far to the Left to woo centrists – said confidently that “I am the Democratic Party’s candidate.”
The democratic party is starting to embrace its full base, which includes progressives, said Mr. Krasner, who revealed that he received the support of Democratic Party boss, Congressman Bob Brady, “right after” the Primary Election.
“Progressives have always been a very important part of the democratic party,” Mr. Krasner stated.
Mayor Kenney said he didn’t endorse in the Primary Election because “you make one friend and four enemies.” But he did admit to voting for Mr. Krasner, whom he claims to trust.
“He’s will be the type of personality that will make people in our communities feel that they are being treated fairly and with justice,” the Mayor, who himself identifies as a progressive with a penchant for criminal justice reform, asserted.
Mr. Krasner told me that while he doesn’t expect him and the Mayor to agree on everything, they do share a vision of using a prevention model to beat crime, and moving towards a society that spends its resources on proper public education, treatment for addictions and job programs.
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Photos courtesy of the author.