The Latest
The latest about Larry Krasner's campaign for progressive reform in Philadelphia
Helen Gym, Chris Rabb, Carpenters, Black Clergy, Vincent Hughes
PHILADELPHIA – Civil rights lawyer and candidate for District Attorney Larry Krasner headed to the finish of the last full week of his campaign by collecting several highly significant endorsements, including Senator Vincent Hughes, Councilwoman Helen Gym, State Rep. Chris Rabb, the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity.
City workers join forces with civil rights attorney
PHILADELPHIA, PA – In a ceremony at its headquarters on Walnut St, Pete Matthews, President of AFSCME District Council 33, announced the union’s endorsement of Larry Krasner for District Attorney of Philadelphia.
“Our members made it clear that they want a District Attorney who is fair, honest and able to understand the needs of our communities,” said Matthews. “We believe that Lawrence Krasner is that person.”
“I could not be more honored and humbled by this endorsement,” Krasner said. “This is not about me. This is about progress, this is about making sure that our children are treated fairly as they move forward, and that they have the opportunities that they deserve.”
The addition of some 8000 city workers gives Krasner a commanding lead in union membership support, with well over 30,000 union members represented. Krasner is already endorsed by AFSCME District 1199C, PASNAP, UNITE HERE locals 274 and 634, AFT Locals 4531 and 2026 and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees.
With CCP and Temple on board, union support likely tops 25,000
PGN, Philly SURJ, Political Revolution PAC also join endorsement stampede
The Larry Krasner for District Attorney campaign today announced several new endorsements for the civil rights lawyer, including new backing from organized labor and by the Philadelphia Gay News. These join a long list of dozens of local, state and national organizations, including labor unions representing a number of Philadelphia residents that likely tops 25,000.
“It’s not easy to calculate,”said a spokesperson for the campaign, “but by a show of hands Larry appears to have more labor support at this point than any other candidate can claim, and by a wide margin.”
Tasco, Fitzgerald, Tomlin, Quiñones-Sánchez, Parker lead move to support civil rights attorney’s campaign for DA
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Major new support for Larry Krasner’s campaign for District Attorney was announced Monday afternoon in front of the Office of the District Attorney, across from City Hall. Principal endorsers were: Marian Tasco, former Councilwoman, 9th District and Democratic Leader, 50th Ward; Isabella Fitzgerald, State Representative, 203rd District and Democratic Leader, 10th Ward; Elaine Tomlin, Democratic Leader, 42nd Ward; Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, Councilwoman, 7th District; and Cherelle Parker, Councilwoman, 9th District.
They were joined by Suzann Christine, Danielle Jeter, Paula Peebles, Ernie Bristow and Selena Hodge, as well as Keiwana McKinney, the campaign’s community liaison.
“He came to my ward, and he spoke and I liked him, I like what he stands for, and I liked his presentation in terms of his history,” Tasco said, “being a defending lawyer for people’s rights, and I like that because I care about people and their having a fair shot. Even though they may be in court, they have to have a fair shot.”
The event was closed out by a ringing endorsement by Pastor Pamela Williams of the Ark of Refuge Tabernacle of Philadelphia.
"Support from these important community leaders demonstrates how Larry Krasner can bring together diverse communities to achieve common goals of making Philadelphia a better and more just place to live," said Brandon Evans, executive director of Pennsylvania Working Families Party.
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Could the May 16 Democratic primary election for district attorney resemble the party’s primary for mayor two years ago?
Larry Krasner, a civil rights lawyer, picked up the much-sought-after endorsements Monday of several ward leaders and elected officials from “the Northwest Coalition,” known for their reliability in turning out voters on Election Day.
Chief among them is former City Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco, who helped propel Mayor Kenney to office when the coalition -- which represents predominantly African American neighborhoods -- backed him in the 2015 six-candidate primary.
Today the Larry Krasner for DA campaign announced that UNITE HERE Locals 274 and 634 have endorsed Krasner as the Democratic nominee for District Attorney of Philadelphia. Local 274's executive board voted unanimously on Wednesday night to endorse Krasner for District Attorney, joining Local 634, which endorsed last week. An overwhelming majority of the 4500 workers represented by the two locals live in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia members of MoveOn.org Political Action have voted overwhelmingly to endorse Larry Krasner in the race for the city’s District Attorney, with 80% of votes cast in favor of backing Krasner in the seven-way endorsement vote, the group announce today.In the endorsement vote, which ran from Monday to Wednesday, MoveOn members praised Krasner’s progressive record on criminal justice and racial justice.
“MoveOn members are proud to join Color of Change and dozens of other national and local progressive groups endorsing Larry Krasner,” said Matt Blizek, elections mobilization director for MoveOn.org.
“Elect progressive fighters at the local level” citywide group urges
PHILADELPHIA, PA – The members of Neighborhood Networks voted “overwhelmingly” to endorse civil rights lawyer Larry Krasner for District Attorney in Philadelphia’s May 16 Democratic primary election.
Neighborhood Networks is a neighborhood-based city-wide organization that pushes for progressive policies and has worked actively to elect progressives to City Council and to the courts in Philadelphia.
Real Justice PAC focuses on district attorney races across the nation
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Another organization with national reach has joined civil rights lawyer Larry Krasner in his bid for the Democratic nomination for Philadelphia District Attorney. On Monday, the Real Justice PAC endorsed Krasner, bringing additional staff and technical expertise to the volunteer-heavy campaign.
“Philadelphia is the most incarcerated city in the country,” said Real Justice’s Becky Bond, who was a senior adviser to the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign. “It’s time for a modern District Attorney, and Larry Krasner is the only candidate that we can trust to take decisive action to end cash bail, address the mass incarceration crisis, hold police accountable and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone who lives and works in Philadelphia.”
PHILADELPHIA, PA – On Monday the Political Revolution PAC decided to endorse Larry Krasner. The Political Revolution PAC an all volunteer, grassroots organization that supports progressives at all levels of government, with a focus in state and local elections.
“Larry Krasner has fought his entire life for civil rights and justice,” Executive Director Ian Boyd's statement said. “It’s time for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office to do the same.”
