https://6abc.com/politics/incumbent-philly-prosecutor-larry-krasner-wins-dem-primary/10660640/
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner survived a challenge in the Democratic primary that pit his progressive reforms against growing concern over a rising tide of homicides and gun crimes.
The primary was seen as referendum on whether a wave of prosecutors elected on promises of criminal justice reform - measures like shorter probation and parole and a curtailing of cash bail that disproportionately keeps poor defendants confined before trial - would be blamed for increasing violence.
Krasner addressed supporters in Center City on Tuesday night after winning the nomination.
"The second term, which is 4.5 years- starts now," declared Krasner to a cheering crowd.
The win comes after a bitter battle in the primary with former homicide prosecutor Carlos Vega.
"We are going to continue down a path that joins a focus on very serious crime with reform that is constructive for society," Krasner said.
Vega billed himself as a third option between traditional law-and-order prosecutions and reform.
"This was not easy for the (crime) victims especially," Vega said after conceding Tuesday night. "Please remember them. ... I am hopeful that my opponent will take them more seriously during his tenure."
Krasner's allies linked his victory to the movement for racial justice.
"Last summer, tens of thousands of young Black people took to the streets to demand we disinvest from our police force and begin investing in Black communities," Councilmember Kendra Brooks said in a statement. "The re-election of Larry Krasner is a testament to the movement's strength."
Krasner will be seen as the favorite against GOP challenger and well-known local attorney Charles Peruto Jr. in the November general election in a city where Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans.
Critics blame Krasner and other progressive prosecutors for the increase in gun crimes. Supporters have pushed back, noting that rising violence during the pandemic - amid reduced social services and economic instability - are hitting cities with both liberal district attorneys and traditional law-and-order prosecutors.
Krasner, a 60-year-old longtime civil rights and defense attorney, won election in 2017 against a crowded field by billing himself as the outsider candidate capable of making radical change.
"Our promise fundamentally was that we would focus on serious crime while bringing reform. We said we would do something about mass incarceration. We have cut the future years of incarceration in half," he said Saturday.
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This Krasner idiot would rather have increased gun violence than put people in jail. He's pandering to the city's high black population and will likely win the main race because of it.
He's the reason why that sniper terrorized a whole neighborhood for seven hours back in 2019.
The whole city should be nuked from orbit. We don't need shorter paroles or cancelation of cash bails. We need to put criminal asses in jail where they belong.