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DC33 Endorses Krasner for District Attorney

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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.

Essay: Distinguishing among Philly DA candidates' positions on the death penalty

WHYY NEWSWORKS

On May 16, Philadelphians will effectively elect a new district attorney, and the candidates have different positions on an important issue: whether to pursue the death penalty.

Much has been written about the DA candidates’ statements on capital punishment, yet important distinctions have not been consistently highlighted, making it harder to discern shifting rhetoric. At times, coverage has been blatantly wrong, reporting that “All … are opponents of the death penalty.” 

Larry Krasner is the District Attorney Philadelphia Needs

Philadelphia is going to have an extremely important election next week. On May 16th, Philadelphia voters will get to elect their next district attorney. ...The district attorney is the most powerful person in the criminal justice system. Philadelphia is lucky to be in a race that is generally progressive, and has been touted as such. However, that does not mean that there are no differences between the candidates on important issues such as the death penalty or stop-and-frisk.

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Krasner Sweeps Up Additional Labor Endorsements

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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.”

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Civil rights attorney Larry Krasner: DA's office is 'off the rails'

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THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

Larry Krasner took a deep breath and paused before answering the question. How was he different from the six other progressive-leaning Democrats running for District Attorney?

“There are words and then there are things not made of air,” Krasner told the crowd at the Arch Street Methodist church in response recently. He then took aim at the other candidates, five who have worked in the District Attorney’s office and a sixth who was a judge for 21 years.

“All these other candidates have been a part of the problem,” he said. “They have done nothing to change the problem, but now all the sudden in this race, when the popular view on criminal justice has shifted...they’re the biggest reformers you’ve ever seen.”

Northwest Coalition backs Krasner for DA

THE PHILADELPHIA TRIBUNE

Philadelphia District Attorney candidate Larry Krasner secured the endorsement of members of the influential group of elected officials, including former City Councilwoman Marian Tasco, on Monday.

The endorsement for Krasner follows news last week on the receipt of nearly $300,000 in advertisement funding for Krasner from billionaire investor George Soros.

Krasner has already received progressive endorsements from local unions including AFSCME District 1199C which represents hospital and health care employees, local social justice organizations like 215 People’s Alliance and national organizations including MoveOn.org.

However the support from Tasco, state Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald, 10th ward leader and Elaine Tomlin, 42nd ward leader — members of what’s known as the Northwest Coalition — could be the crossover civil rights attorney Krasner needs to reach a substantial bit of Philadelphia’s historic voter population.

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Northwest Leaders Endorse Krasner in DA Race

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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.

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Krasner picks up key ward leaders and more PAC support for DA

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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.

What's Better for Teachers is Better for Our City

Philadelphia’s public school teachers have been fighting for a fair contract for far too long. I stand in solidarity with them.

While teachers work without a contract, we are misallocating enormous sums to keep thousands of people in jail who aren’t violent criminals or serious repeat offenders. It costs $40,000 a year per inmate. That’s nearly a starting teacher’s salary.

The city also paid out $12.8 million in lawsuit settlements for police misconduct in 2016 — a fairly typical year. If not for these payouts, we could hire well over 200 more teachers, or raise pay and benefits to retain the ones we have.

If our justice system in Philadelphia didn't hold thousands of in jail solely because they cannot afford bail while awaiting trial, we might well be able to reach a contract with our public school teachers.

We’re driving some of our best teachers away by depriving them the security of a fair contract, and packing our kids into overcrowded classrooms. At the same time we waste millions on over-imprisonment. Better schools lead to reduced crime, a safer city, and a stronger tax base to support even better schools.

Teachers are some of the most overworked and underpaid public servants in our community. They hold our children’s future in their hands. As a product of public schools, I support our teachers demanding an equitable contract.

Major Endorsement for Krasner to be Announced at Monday Press Conference

New backing will reinforce Krasner’s already unparalleled support

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Tomorrow major new support for Larry Krasner’s campaign for District Attorney will be announced. The press conference will take place in front of the Office of the District Attorney, across from City Hall, at 5:30pm on Monday, May 1.

Krasner's campaign has already been endorsed by organizations that represent tens of thousands of ordinary Philadelphians, including unions and political groups, as well as by national organizations that support criminal justice reform. The list so far:

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