The marquee race in this year’s primary election is the contest between District Attorney Larry Krasner, who is seeking a third term in office, and a challenger, former Municipal Court judge Patrick Dugan.
Since there’s no Republican running for DA, whoever gets the most votes in the Democratic primary will likely win the November general election as well and serve for the next four years.
Also on the ballot are a number of important judicial positions — people whose names you might never have heard but who stand to gain serious sway in the city and state justice systems — as well as candidates for City Controller and three ballot questions.
Additionally, residents in many districts can vote for the judges of elections and inspectors who run local polling places. You can find their names by looking up the sample ballot for your address, or by checking the full list posted by the City Commissioners office.
Note that Philly holds closed primaries, meaning you can only cast votes for candidates within your party. This year’s judge candidates for Philadelphia’s local courts are all Democrats, but Republicans are running in some of the state court and other races.
The voter registration deadline for the primary has already passed. The deadline to apply for a mail or absentee ballot is May 13. Mail ballots must be received by the Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on Primary Day, May 20 — so if you’re voting by mail, be sure to send yours in at least several days before that date.
For more info on voter registration and how to vote by mail, check out our guide from last fall’s election or visit the City Commissioners’ website.
Feeling overwhelmed by all those candidates for judge? The good news is that Billy Penn’s Procrastinator’s Guide is here to help. Take a look through this article, then bookmark it for reference as you fill out your mail ballot or head to the polls.
Have any questions about Election Day? Let us know at tips@billypenn.com.
Jump to a section
- District Attorney
- City Controller
- Superior Court
- Commonwealth Court
- Court of Common Pleas
- Municipal Court
- Ballot questions
District Attorney
The district attorney is the city’s top prosecutor, tasked with investigating and charging thousands of criminal cases every year. Check out our full article on the candidates.
Democrats
Patrick Dugan
Dugan is an Army veteran who was appointed a Municipal Court judge in 2007, served as President Judge for five years, and retired last year. He ran for Superior Court in 2023, coming in third in the Democratic primary.
He touts his work setting up Veterans Court, which aims to move defendants who are veterans into drug treatment and diversion programs, helping launch the city’s Eviction Diversion Program, and leading the court through the pandemic, in part by holding hearings in jails to overcome judicial backlogs.
Dugan argues that Krasner’s lenient policies toward accused criminals contributed to historic spikes in murders and other crime during the pandemic and continuing high rates of retail theft. He also criticizes the DA for hiring inexperienced, out-of-state law school graduates as assistant DAs and says Krasner’s poor relationship with other city officials hampers cooperation on anti-crime efforts.
Larry Krasner (incumbent)
Krasner was elected in 2017 and is seeking a third term. A longtime civil rights attorney before he took office, he has focused on reducing prosecution of many minor offenses, reducing incarceration, supporting community groups that do violence prevention work, exonerating wrongfully convicted people, and prosecuting police and former prosecutors for alleged misconduct.
The DA highlights recent drops in most categories of crime, including the lowest homicide rate in decades. He frequently cites his opposition to Trump administration policies, and says he could potentially prosecute immigration officials who violate the law as well as white collar crimes being ignored by the U.S. Department of Justice.
In response to Dugan’s criticism, he says reducing the jail population benefits offenders and the city, and does not lead to more crime. Last year he ended a policy of not prosecuting smaller retail thefts, and says retail theft rates have dropped slightly in the past year. He defends his attorney recruitment and training efforts, and says he has good relationships with the mayor and police commissioner.
City Controller
The city controller is an elected position tasked with overseeing the city’s operations and auditing them when they seem fishy. This official is elected to a 4-year term, and is not subject to term limits.
Democrat
Christy Brady (incumbent)
Brady was appointed acting controller in November 2022 and won a full term a year later. A certified public accountant, she previously held various positions in the controller’s office for over 30 years. She cites accomplishments including investigating delays in the demolition of dangerous properties, missteps in gun violence prevention funding, distribution of opioid settlement funds, and the Rebuild program.
Her campaign priorities include investigating code violations, the use of unlicensed construction workers and other illegal development practices, and auditing the Office of Property Assessment and the city’s contracting process. She is endorsed by the city Democratic Party.
Her campaign website is here.
Republican
Ari Patrinos
Patrinos is a city native who worked as a stockbroker in New York before returning to Philly to teach mathematics and history in charter and public schools. He vows to push for “responsible budgeting and transparent oversight” in the schools, lower taxes, more transparency in government, pro-business policies and less “bureaucratic red tape.” He is endorsed by the Philadelphia Republican Party.
His campaign website is here.
Judge of the Superior Court
The Superior Court hears appeals in criminal and civil cases from the Courts of Common Pleas, and some cases involving children and families. The 15 judges are chosen in statewide elections, and serve 10-year terms. (Vote for one.)
Democrat
Brandon Neuman
Neuman is a former four-term state House representative from the Pittsburgh area who serves as a judge in the Washington County Court of Common Pleas. He was previously a trial lawyer handling complex civil litigation and nursing home neglect cases, and he ran for lieutenant governor in 2014. He’s been endorsed by the state Democratic Party, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, and several other labor unions and elected officials. He is highly recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Republican
Maria Battista
Battista is an attorney in private practice, focusing on government contracting. She previously worked for the U.S. Navy, the Defense Logistics Agency, the Pa. departments of Health and State, and as a county prosecutor. In addition to her law degree, she has a PhD in education from the University of Pittsburgh. She ran for Superior Court before in 2023. Her endorsements include the state Fraternal Order of Police, the state Chamber of Commerce PAC and the PA Sheriff’s Association PAC, according to her Facebook page. She declined to participate in the Pennsylvania Bar Association recommendation process.
Anne Marie Wheatcraft
Wheatcraft has served as a judge in the Court of Common Pleas in Chester County for 13 years. Before becoming a judge, she was an assistant district attorney for the county. She is a board member for several nonprofits and works to educate newly elected judges. She was endorsed by the state Republican Party. Wheatcraft is highly recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association, which cited her work developing treatment courts in Chester County and working to introduce comfort dogs in the courtroom.
Judge of the Commonwealth Court
The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania is one of the state’s two appellate courts. (Vote for one candidate.)
Democrat
Stella Tsai
Tsai has been a judge in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas since 2016. She has experience in the civil and criminal trial courts, Orphans’ Court, Family Court and other divisions. She was previously a litigator representing a variety of clients. She is endorsed by the Pa. Democratic State Committee and is highly recommended by the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania bar associations.
Republicans
Josh Prince
Prince is an attorney from Berks County who focuses on civil liberties cases, especially Second Amendment issues, but also freedom of speech and religion, equal protection and reasonable suspicion. During the pandemic he sued the state over mandated closures of law firms and firearms dealers and represented various clients opposing pandemic-related restrictions. He did not participate in the Pennsylvania Bar Association recommendation process.
Matt Wolford
Wolford runs a solo law practice in Erie, representing a variety of clients and specializing in environmental law. He’s also worked for the state Department of Environment Protection, as a deputy attorney general in charge of an environmental crimes field office, and as a special prosecutor for the state AG and the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He is endorsed by the state GOP and highly recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
This is Philly’s general trial court. The judges have original jurisdiction over most civil cases. (Vote for up to nine (9) candidates.)
Democrats
Qawi Abdul-Rahman
A Philadelphia native, Abdul-Rahman is a criminal defense attorney who was previously a public defender in Dade County, Florida. He is also running for judge of the Municipal Court. He previously ran for judge in the Court of Common Pleas in 2023. He’s the father of Muhyyee-Ud-din Abdul-Rahman, who was charged in 2023 for seeking to make bombs for terrorist groups. Qawi Abdul-Rahman is not recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Will Braveman
An attorney focusing on employee-side labor law, child welfare and mental health court, Braveman previously worked as a law clerk in the Court of Common Pleas, a deputy city solicitor, a DJ and a recording artist. He is endorsed by the city Democratic Party and recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Sherrie Cohen
Cohen is a tenants rights lawyer who previously ran for City Council. She has advocated for affordable housing construction, LGBTQ+ rights, keeping city libraries open, and ending cash bail, among other causes. She is also running for judge in Municipal Court. She is endorsed by the Working Families Party and District Attorney Larry Krasner, among others. She did not receive a recommendation from the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Irinia Ehrlich
Ehrlich is a former Philadelphia assistant district attorney who is in private practice, focusing on criminal defense, immigration, personal injury and guardianships. During her time with the DA’s office she was designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. She is originally from Ukraine and immigrated to the U.S. in 1994. She is endorsed by the Philadelphia Democratic Party and the Working Families Party, and is recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Larry Farnese
Farnese served three terms as a state senator representing parts of South Philadelphia and the River Wards and has worked as an attorney in private practice. In 2017 he was acquitted on a charge of bribing a city Democratic Party official. He is endorsed by the city Democratic Party and recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Kia Ghee
Ghee is the former executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, the city’s civil rights agency, and before that was a lawyer in the city’s Law Department. She previously worked for nonprofits, managing Head Start programs and organizing health and job fairs. She is endorsed by the city Democratic Party and recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Taniesha Henry
Henry is an attorney who has worked as a hearing officer and law clerk in Family Court, a Court of Common Pleas arbitrator, and an assistant city solicitor for the city’s Department of Human Services, among other positions. She is not recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Sarah Jones
Jones is an attorney in private practice. She focuses primarily on family law matters, including protection from abuse, custody, child support, divorce and grandparents’ rights cases. Jones is endorsed by the city Democratic Party and recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Leon A. King II
King is an attorney who has served as Philadelphia’s prison commissioner, a deputy city solicitor, a staffer for former City Councilmember Frank Rizzo, and a deputy commissioner for Maryland’s prison system. He is endorsed by the city Democratic Party and recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Brian Kisielewski
Kisielewski manages pro bono (volunteer) initiatives for the Faegre Drinker law firm and previously founded the First Judicial District’s Elder Justice & Civil Resource Center. He was also a Common Pleas law clerk and a post-conviction and habeas corpus criminal appeals attorney. He is endorsed by the city Democratic Party and recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Anthony Stefanski
Stefanski is an attorney who has worked for the District Attorney’s Office and private law firms, and for the past three years has represented the Democratic City Committee, according to a campaign video. Stefanski is endorsed by the Philadelphia Democratic Party and recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Deborah Watson-Stokes
Watson-Stokes is a longtime assistant district attorney in the DA’s office, including 18 years in the homicide unit. She was previously a public school teacher and adjunct law professor. She is endorsed by the Philadelphia Democratic Party and recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Candidate Mike Huff will also appear on the ballot for Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court, but he was disqualified from running and votes for him will not be counted.
Judge of the Municipal Court
This is a trial court divided into three divisions: criminal, civil and traffic. The judges hear trials for some misdemeanors, summary offenses and felonies. (Vote for up to three (3) candidates.)
Democrats
Qawi Abdul-Rahman
He is also running for judge of the Court of Common Pleas. See his profile, above.
Sherrie Cohen
She is also running for judge of the Court of Common Pleas. See her profile, above.
Amanda Davidson
Davidson has practiced law for three decades with cases spanning family law, business disputes and criminal matters. She represents clients who have experienced workplace injuries, car accidents and slip-and-falls. Davidson is endorsed by the Democratic City Committee and Working Families Party, and recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Shawn Page
Page is a criminal defense attorney who says he is “dedicated to reducing gun violence, criminal justice reform and considering childhood trauma in sentencing.” In 2021 he received a public reprimand from the state Supreme Court’s disciplinary board for mishandling a client’s case, and he’s been subject to liens for about $200,000 in unpaid federal income taxes and penalties, the Inquirer reported. He is endorsed by the Democratic City Committee, and not recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Cortez Patton
Patton is chief counsel to state Senator Anthony Williams. He has worked to reform the criminal justice system in Pennsylvania with a focus on probation reform, reentry support, and the sealing of nonviolent criminal records and more. He has endorsements from the Democratic City Committee and the Working Families Party. The Philadelphia Bar Association did not recommend Patton.
Ballot questions
Changes to the Home Rule Charter, which serves like a constitution for the city, must be approved by voters. Voters of any party can vote on them. For more information on the questions, check out our explainer article.
Question #1
“Should the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to create the Office of Homeless Services Ombudsperson to assist residents experiencing homelessness, help provide fair access to essential resources, improve quality of life in the shelter system, investigate client complaints, and provide oversight and recommendations to the City’s providers of homeless services?”
The new office would advocate for people experiencing homelessness and their families, investigate client grievances, and provide oversight and recommendation to the Managing Director’s office, according to Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, who sponsored a bill putting the measure on the ballot.
Question #2
“Should the Home Rule Charter be amended to increase the minimum amount that must be appropriated for spending on Housing Trust Fund purposes in the City’s operating budget each year?”
This measure would require the city to put payments from a developer incentive program, which are meant to support affordable housing, into its Housing Trust Fund. The city has been putting the money into the General Fund instead and spending it on other programs. The question was proposed by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier. The Parker administration opposes the change, saying it would “bind the hands” of mayors during budget negotiations.
Question #3
“Shall The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for the creation of an independent Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and Office of Prison Oversight and to further authorize City Council to determine the composition, powers and duties of the Board and Office?”
The measure aims to improve poor conditions at the city’s four correctional facilities. The Prison Oversight office would be authorized to conduct investigations and have access to the prisons and their databases and documents, while the nine-member Oversight Board would meet at least monthly and could recommend investigations and other actions by the new office.
Editor’s note: The spelling of Will Braveman’s name has been corrected.
