May 16, 2017
Philadelphia voters who turned out on Tuesday for the Democratic primary election picked reform-minded defense attorney Larry Krasner over eight other candidates in a race to take the seat of embattled District Attorney Seth Williams, who was indicted earlier this year on corruption and bribery charges.
Krasner, 56, garnered 38 percent of the vote after 89 percent of city precincts had been tallied, securing a wide margin of victory over prosecutor Joe Kahn, his nearest competitor with 21 percent of the vote.
Throughout the campaign, Krasner distinguished himself as a progressive who would end mass incarceration, free wrongfully convicted prisoners and treat addiction as an illness rather than a crime. He also pledged not to pursue the death penalty, end civil asset forfeiture and scale back prosecution of low-level marijuana offenses.
News of Krasner's primary victory, widely presumed to be a lock for the election against lone Republican candidate Beth Grossman, provoked a range of reactions on social media.
Krasner's got this. I almost can't believe it. Amazing. What a time to be in Philly. This is the best Philly has been in my entire life.
— jeff deeney (@jeff_deeney) May 17, 2017
Philadelphia has just elected a radical District Attorney in Larry Krasner, even if "radical District Attorney" is a contradiction in terms.
— George Ciccariello (@ciccmaher) May 17, 2017
Krasner wins w/ approx 55,000 votes, amazingly 5% of registered voters in Philly carried this election! #Krasner4DA #organizetheunorganized
— Nijmie Dzurinko (@NijmieZD) May 17, 2017
@Phylan It's stunning how fast we've gone from Lynne Abraham to Krasner. "Queen of death" to decarceration in 7 years.
— Jordan Kovnot (@kovnot) May 17, 2017
I don't like it, but Krasner won. Why? Progressives united around him? Soros-bought TV ads? His novel ideas? He... https://t.co/vof2JaBoqm
— Stu Bykofsky (@StuBykofsky) May 17, 2017
if the police decide to go to war with krasner, policing and prosecution in philly could break down completely. which would be awesome
— Dennis Hogan (@dennismhogan) May 17, 2017
@KevinXmann Every candidate gave at least *some* lip-service to CJ reform because of the political climate, but only Krasner actually did so credibly
— Luke in Philadelphia (@tramL116) May 17, 2017
Krasner on low-level marijuana offenses: "You can arrest them if you want, but I won't charge them." pic.twitter.com/AZ4t2x8p84
— CJ Ciaramella (@cjciaramella) May 17, 2017
I feel like Khan's poll was pretty on target, the undecided swung Krasner though.
— Dena Driscoll (@bikemamadelphia) May 17, 2017
@jeff_deeney do you think anti-reformer seth williams's malfeasance helped krasner?
— Alex Elkins (@alexbelkins) May 17, 2017
If outsider Krasner can show results it may serve as model for other cities woefully behind on criminal justice reform under estb’mnt Dems. https://t.co/zQnPSP4QAn
— Hayden Barnes (@rivertownlawyer) May 17, 2017
Larry Krasner is living proof that if u stick to your values...and receive overwhelming financial support from Soros...anything is possible
— Tyler Woods (@Woods_TylerWL) May 17, 2017
Democratic candidate Larry Krasner thanks supporters after winning dem primary for Philadelphia District Attorney pic.twitter.com/ruugYsO6pM
— Dann Cuellar (@DannCuellar) May 17, 2017
3. Not that long ago someone with Krasner's background would never be considered for a district attorney.
— (((Larry Hannan))) (@LarryHannan) May 17, 2017
2. Krasner's win is another sign that the role of the district attorney is changing.
— (((Larry Hannan))) (@LarryHannan) May 17, 2017
@TheBenNatan even some of my conservative friends like Krasner's ideas on criminal reform. He'll probably be elected
— Joe Mills (@joemillsv) May 17, 2017
Krasner ended speech and crowd launched into chant: "This is what democracy looks like"
— Julia Terruso (@JuliaTerruso) May 17, 2017
