Meet the 2025 Philadelphia Primary Candidates
Vote the Ridge has only endorsed two judicial candidates in local races for seats on the Court of Common Pleas and the Municipal Court. While we had expected to endorse additional candidates, we became deeply concerned at the appearance of a letter warning candidates not to appear at our recent candidate forum and the subsequent withdrawal of several local judicial candidates from the forum. You can read our joint statement with the Mt. Airy Democrats HERE, where we explain why the appearance of the letter, and the subsequent withdrawal of several candidates, raise serious concerns about the judicial selection process in Philadelphia.
We are proud to endorse Mike Huff and Brian Kisielewski for judge.
We also proudly endorse Larry Krasner for District Attorney.
You can read more about each of them below, as well as the other people running for DA and local judge positions. In the accordions, we share information on all the candidates in these races, as well links to the video segments of our forum for those who participated. (*Note: we chose not to endorse in uncontested primaries, but look forward to sharing recommendations in the fall.)
Vote The Ridge Endorsed Candidates
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Current District Attorney for Philadelphia, running for re-election
CLICK HERE to watch his appearance at our April 2025 Candidate Forum
● Education: U Chicago BA, Stanford Law JD
● Professional: Larry Krasner had his own law practice in Center City specializing in criminal defense and civil rights. According to his website, “he has tried thousands of cases in criminal and civil court and represented countless defendants and filed more than 75 civil rights lawsuits against the police for corruption and physical abuse. Larry stands up for immigration, disability and gay rights, as well as the right to free speech.” He was elected DA in 2017 on a reform platform after the previous DA was convicted of fraud and bribery.
● Personal: Grew up in St. Louis, MO and in Philadelphia. Father was a WWII veteran
● Volunteer work: From website: “He has defended, normally at no cost, protesters at RNC 2000 and DNC 2016, members of ACT UP, Black Lives Matter, Casino-Free Philadelphia, DACA Dreamers, Decarcerate PA, Earth Quaker Action Team, Heeding God’s Call, Kensington Welfare Rights Union, Occupy Philly and Reclaim Philadelphia, advocates of public school funding and opponents of the death penalty.”
● Financial: $118,000 on hand at end of 2024
● Endorsements: Vote the Ridge, Mt. Airy Democrats, Working Families Party PA, AFSCME DC 33, AFSCME DC 47, SEIU Healthcare PA, BMWED Teamsters, Unite Here!, Laborers Local 332, Anthony H. Williams (D) PA Senate 8, Nikil Saval (D) PA Senate 1, Sharif Street (D) PA Senate 3, Vincent Hughes (D) PA Senate 7, Ben Waxman (D) PA House 182, Rick Krajewski (D) PA House 188, Morgan Cephas (D) PA House 192, Christopher M. Rabb (D) PA House 200, Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier, Curtis Jones, Jr., Kendra Brooks, Rue Landau, Nicolas O’Rourke, and Dwight Evans (US Congress 3)
● Platform: “During his first term as District Attorney, Larry has supported victims, he has exonerated the innocent, and he has held police accountable. He has reduced future years of incarceration and supervision while helping to drop the jail population. He has focused on the most serious crimes in Philadelphia while working with leaders to address the root causes of violence. He has kept kids out of adult court and kept them home. And he has fought against the powerful, like drug companies and those who steal from workers.”
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Before being elected DA, Larry Krasner worked for many years as a criminal defense and civil rights lawyer, trying thousands of cases, including more than 75 civil rights lawsuits. He represented protesters and activists, usually at no cost. When he was elected DA in 2017, he came into office on a reform platform after his predecessor was convicted of bribery. We believe he has made significant strides in reforming the office, supporting victims, exonerating the innocent, and going after corrupt authorities. His office has successfully prosecuted serious crimes while reducing the use of incarceration and maximum sentencing.
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CLICK HERE to watch his appearance at our April 2025 Candidate Forum
● Education: St. Joseph’s University BA 2006; Widener Law 2009
● Professional: Clerked for Court of Common Pleas after law school. As a law clerk he sat in on trials with judges, did a lot of legal drafting for judges. Staff Attorney for First Judicial District 2011-2015; Founding Legal Director of First Judicial District’s Elder Justice & Resource Center; He has been involved in trials for housing, various civil matters, criminal PFA violation cases, and family law. He has been the case supervisor for all pro-bono work with his current firm (FaegreDrinker). He also managed a large pro-bono legal program with his previous firm Stradley Ronon Graphic. Currently he is co-chair of the Philadelphia Bar for Delivery of Legal Services
● Pro Bono/Volunteer: He has been working for years to help the arts community of Pennsylvania to navigate complex legal challenges with Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (PVLA). In addition to supporting the arts he has done work to support housing justice with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless. Recently he worked pro-bono on a slip and fall case that ended up in a payout from the city and is involved currently with a landlord-tenant case with common pleas this year, and coordinated with the ACLU for a tenant’s rights.
● Endorsements: Phila Dem City Committee; Danilo Burgos; IUPAT District Council 21; State Sen Sharif Street; Jannie Blackwell; Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters; Nikil Saval; Vince Hughes; Danilo Burgos, 2nd Ward Dems, 5th Ward Dems
Philadelphia Bar Association: ✔Recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
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Brian Kisielewski was the founding Legal Director of the First Judicial District’s Elder Justice & Resource Center; He has been involved in trials for housing, various civil matters, criminal PFA violation cases, and family law. He has been the case supervisor for all pro-bono work with his current firm (FaegreDrinker). Currently he is co-chair of the Philadelphia Bar for Delivery of Legal Services. He has been working for years to help the arts community of Pennsylvania to navigate complex legal challenges with Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (PVLA). In addition to his support for the arts he has done work to support housing justice with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless.
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CLICK HERE to watch his appearance at our April 2025 Candidate Forum
● Education: Widener University School of Law JD 1994
● Professional: Mike has been running an independent law firm in Philadelphia for 31 years, primarily representing defendants of juvenile justice and personal injury cases.
● Advocacy/Pro Bono work: Federal reentry programs, free expungement clinics. He is a demonstrated supporter of progressive causes and has also represented activists pro bono as part of Up Against the Law Legal Collective.
● Personal: Raised in NE Philadelphia by working-class parents; first in his family to graduate from college.
● Endorsements: District Attorney Larry Krasner, State Senator Nikil Saval, and State Representatives José Giral Burgos, Elizabeth Fiedler, and Rick Krajewski; AFSCME DC 33, AFSCME 1199C, AFSCME DC 47 & TEAMSTERS Local 830. Legal community: HON. ROBERT B. KUGLER (RET.), US Federal District Court Judge, Retired, HOWARD BRUCE KLEIN, Former Assistant U.S. Attorney, ROCCO C. CIPPARONE, JR., Criminal Trial Attorney, Former Federal Prosecutor & Law Professor, MEGAN J. DAVIES, Criminal Trial Attorney, and TROY A. ARCHIE, ESQUIRE, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, 2nd Ward Dems, and Vote the Ridge
Philadelphia Bar Association: ✔Recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
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Raised in northeast Philadelphia by working-class parents, Mike Huff was the first in his family to graduate from college. He has been running an independent criminal justice law firm in Philadelphia for 31 years, representing mostly defendants in juvenile justice and personal injury cases. He is admitted to practice in three states (PA, NJ and NY) and has appeared before the Municipal and Common Pleas Courts hundreds of times. Huff does a lot of pro bono work in federal reentry programs and free expungement clinics. He has also represented activists pro bono as part of the Up Against the Law Legal Collective and is active in northwest Philadelphia community organizations.
ALL CANDIDATES
District Attorney
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Current District Attorney for Philadelphia, running for re-election
CLICK HERE to watch his appearance at our April 2025 Candidate Forum
● Education: U Chicago BA, Stanford Law JD
● Professional: Larry Krasner had his own law practice in Center City specializing in criminal defense and civil rights. According to his website, “he has tried thousands of cases in criminal and civil court and represented countless defendants and filed more than 75 civil rights lawsuits against the police for corruption and physical abuse. Larry stands up for immigration, disability and gay rights, as well as the right to free speech.” He was elected DA in 2017 on a reform platform after the previous DA was convicted of fraud and bribery.
● Personal: Grew up in St. Louis, MO and in Philadelphia. Father was a WWII veteran
● Volunteer work: From website: “He has defended, normally at no cost, protesters at RNC 2000 and DNC 2016, members of ACT UP, Black Lives Matter, Casino-Free Philadelphia, DACA Dreamers, Decarcerate PA, Earth Quaker Action Team, Heeding God’s Call, Kensington Welfare Rights Union, Occupy Philly and Reclaim Philadelphia, advocates of public school funding and opponents of the death penalty.”
● Financial: $118,000 on hand at end of 2024
● Endorsements: Vote the Ridge, Mt. Airy Democrats, Working Families Party PA, AFSCME DC 33, AFSCME DC 47, SEIU Healthcare PA, BMWED Teamsters, Unite Here!, Laborers Local 332, Anthony H. Williams (D) PA Senate 8, Nikil Saval (D) PA Senate 1, Sharif Street (D) PA Senate 3, Vincent Hughes (D) PA Senate 7, Ben Waxman (D) PA House 182, Rick Krajewski (D) PA House 188, Morgan Cephas (D) PA House 192, Christopher M. Rabb (D) PA House 200, Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier, Curtis Jones, Jr., Kendra Brooks, Rue Landau, Nicolas O’Rourke, and Dwight Evans (US Congress 3)
● Platform: “During his first term as District Attorney, Larry has supported victims, he has exonerated the innocent, and he has held police accountable. He has reduced future years of incarceration and supervision while helping to drop the jail population. He has focused on the most serious crimes in Philadelphia while working with leaders to address the root causes of violence. He has kept kids out of adult court and kept them home. And he has fought against the powerful, like drug companies and those who steal from workers.”
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Before being elected DA, Larry Krasner worked for many years as a criminal defense and civil rights lawyer, trying thousands of cases, including more than 75 civil rights lawsuits. He represented protesters and activists, usually at no cost. When he was elected DA in 2017, he came into office on a reform platform after his predecessor was convicted of bribery. We believe he has made significant strides in reforming the office, supporting victims, exonerating the innocent, and going after corrupt authorities. His office has successfully prosecuted serious crimes while reducing the use of incarceration and maximum sentencing.
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Running for District Attorney of Philadelphia
CLICK HERE to watch his appearance at our April 2025 Candidate Forum
● Education: West Chester, Ann Arundel & U Maryland, BA; Rutgers-Camden Law, JD
● Professional: Dugan got his JD after returning from military service and practiced law until he reenlisted in 2003. Appointed judge by Gov. Ed Rendell in 2007. Has been a Municipal Court-Traffic Division judge since 2007. Became President Judge of Municipal Court in 2019. Stepped down in 2024 to run for DA.
● Personal: Born in Fairmount and raised in Frankford by a single mom. Served in the military 1981-1989, and again 2003-2007.
● Volunteer work/community organizations: Ancient Order of Hibernians, works with charities (not specified).
● Financial: Had raised $140,000 by the end of 2024.
● Endorsements: Philadelphia Building Trades Council, Laborers District Council, IBEW 98, Eastern Atlantic State Regional Council of Carpenters, Teamsters Joint Council, Steamfitters Local 420, Plumbers Local 690, IATSE Local 8, Ironworkers, Operative Engineers 542
Things to know: ● Platform: Dugan stepped down to run against Krasner. Says he is running because he wants to prioritize helping victims and would give the maximum penalty when sentencing. Proposes dividing the DA’s office into six regions for the city. Says he wants to prioritize hiring locally. ● Democratic City Committee did not endorse in this race, leaving it open to all wards to decide who or if to endorse. ● Pat Dugan is married to a police officer, and in 2013 he was criticized for not recusing himself from a case in which he acquitted an ex-police officer accused of assaulting a woman.
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
(Vote for not more than 9)
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CLICK HERE to watch his appearance at our April 2025 Candidate Forum
● Education: St. Joseph’s University BA 2006; Widener Law 2009
● Professional: Clerked for Court of Common Pleas after law school. As a law clerk he sat in on trials with judges, did a lot of legal drafting for judges. Staff Attorney for First Judicial District 2011-2015; Founding Legal Director of First Judicial District’s Elder Justice & Resource Center; He has been involved in trials for housing, various civil matters, criminal PFA violation cases, and family law. He has been the case supervisor for all pro-bono work with his current firm (FaegreDrinker). He also managed a large pro-bono legal program with his previous firm Stradley Ronon Graphic. Currently he is co-chair of the Philadelphia Bar for Delivery of Legal Services
● Pro Bono/Volunteer: He has been working for years to help the arts community of Pennsylvania to navigate complex legal challenges with Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (PVLA). In addition to supporting the arts he has done work to support housing justice with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless. Recently he worked pro-bono on a slip and fall case that ended up in a payout from the city and is involved currently with a landlord-tenant case with common pleas this year, and coordinated with the ACLU for a tenant’s rights.
● Endorsements: Phila Dem City Committee; Danilo Burgos; IUPAT District Council 21; State Sen Sharif Street; Jannie Blackwell; Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters; Nikil Saval; Vince Hughes; Danilo Burgos, 2nd Ward Dems, 5th Ward Dems
Philadelphia Bar Association: ✔Recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
Brian Kisielewski was the founding Legal Director of the First Judicial District’s Elder Justice & Resource Center; He has been involved in trials for housing, various civil matters, criminal PFA violation cases, and family law. He has been the case supervisor for all pro-bono work with his current firm (FaegreDrinker). Currently he is co-chair of the Philadelphia Bar for Delivery of Legal Services. He has been working for years to help the arts community of Pennsylvania to navigate complex legal challenges with Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (PVLA). In addition to his support for the arts he has done work to support housing justice with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless.
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CLICK HERE to watch his appearance at our April 2025 Candidate Forum
● Education: Widener University School of Law JD 1994
● Professional: Mike has been running an independent law firm in Philadelphia for 31 years, primarily representing defendants of juvenile justice and personal injury cases.
● Advocacy/Pro Bono work: Federal reentry programs, free expungement clinics. He is a demonstrated supporter of progressive causes and has also represented activists pro bono as part of Up Against the Law Legal Collective.
● Personal: Raised in NE Philadelphia by working-class parents; first in his family to graduate from college.
● Endorsements: District Attorney Larry Krasner, State Senator Nikil Saval, and State Representatives José Giral Burgos, Elizabeth Fiedler, and Rick Krajewski; AFSCME DC 33, AFSCME 1199C, AFSCME DC 47 & TEAMSTERS Local 830. Legal community: HON. ROBERT B. KUGLER (RET.), US Federal District Court Judge, Retired, HOWARD BRUCE KLEIN, Former Assistant U.S. Attorney, ROCCO C. CIPPARONE, JR., Criminal Trial Attorney, Former Federal Prosecutor & Law Professor, MEGAN J. DAVIES, Criminal Trial Attorney, and TROY A. ARCHIE, ESQUIRE, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, 2nd Ward Dems, and Vote the Ridge
Philadelphia Bar Association: ✔Recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
Raised in northeast Philadelphia by working-class parents, Mike Huff was the first in his family to graduate from college. He has been running an independent criminal justice law firm in Philadelphia for 31 years, representing mostly defendants in juvenile justice and personal injury cases. He is admitted to practice in three states (PA, NJ and NY) and has appeared before the Municipal and Common Pleas Courts hundreds of times. Huff does a lot of pro bono work in federal reentry programs and free expungement clinics. He has also represented activists pro bono as part of the Up Against the Law Legal Collective and is active in northwest Philadelphia community organizations.
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CLICK HERE to watch her appearance at our April 2025 Candidate Forum
● Education: Howard BA (2007); U Missouri-Columbia Law JD (2014)
● Professional: Professional Profile: Currently works in Quality Management Services at Childfirst Services; Was a Domestic Relations Hearing Officer at First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (2023-2024); Judicial Law clerk for Judge Canty in the Phila Family Court (2018-2023); Arbitrator at Court of Common Pleas Arbitration Center (2018-2023); Assistant City Solicitor, City of Philadelphia (2016-2017).
● Endorsements: Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Mt. Airy Democrats, 2nd Ward Democrats, 24th Ward Democrats
● Financials: Says $2,000 on hand, but doesn’t account for where it came from in her 12/31/24 Campaign Finance report.
Philadelphia Bar Association: X - Not Recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
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No Video - Withdrew from Candidate Forum
● Education: U Mass BA (1988); Temple JD (1991)
● Professional: Was assistant and then deputy city solicitor for City of Philadelphia Law Department 1991-2002; Commissioner of Prisons in Philadelphia from 2002 to 2008. Instrumental in creating Mental Health Court and has helped inmates to experience continuity of care for severe mental health issues once exiting the prison system. Had his own general practice 2009-present, focused on civil rights, employment, and criminal defense law.
● Pro Bono/Advocacy/Volunteer: He is a board member of the Police Transparency Project which works to identify, investigate, and address police prosecutorial misconduct. Board member, Juvenile Aftercare, Incorporated. East Mount Airy Neighbors.
● Personal: “King became the first openly-LGBTQ+ prisons commissioner in Philadelphia history, a role in which he instituted programs that helped 10 HIV-positive inmates get access to medication and expanded mental health resources.” Profile in the Citizen
● Endorsements: Philadelphia Democratic City Committee; State Senator Sharif Street; Councilperson Cindy Bass, Jannie Blackwell; Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, 2nd Ward Dems, 5th Ward Dems
Philadelphia Bar Association Recommendation: ✔Recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
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No Video - Withdrew from Candidate Forum
● Education: New York University BA (1990); Temple Law School JD (1994)
● Professional: Clerk for 2 years in Court of Common Pleas, 12 years as Asst and Deputy Solicitor in City of Philadelphia’s Law Department, 12 years after that in private practice, in employment law (on employee side), including as designated counsel for AFSCME DC 33 (Local 696). Is an attorney in mental health court Teaches on labor law, employment law, and mental health law. Has handled thousands of case trials or hearings.
● Volunteer: website says three decades of volunteer work serving vulnerable Philadelphians and coaching youth sports (soccer and baseball). 13-time First Judicial District pro bono award winner. Legal volunteer work: Temple Legal Aid, Support Center for Child Advocates; Volunteers for the Indigent Program. Also volunteers in community organizations.
● Personal: Born and raised in Philadelphia by single mother; lives with wife in South Philadelphia where they raised kids; was a DJ for a while;
● Endorsements: Democratic City Committee, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Working Families Party, 2nd Ward Dems, 5th Ward Dems, 9th Ward Dems, 24th Ward Dems
● Financials: $21,713.29 on hand 12/31/2024
Philadelphia Bar Association Recommendation: ✔Recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
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No Video - Withdrew from Candidate Forum
● Education: Temple BA, Widener Law School JD
● Professional: Stefanski has been licensed in PA for 36 years. Practice areas include family law, workers compensation law, general practice. Started as clerk for Judge Nicholas D’Alessandro; joined Philadelphia DA office in the major trials unit; then worked in the law office of Charles Peruto.
● Volunteer/pro bono work: No information.
● Personal: Writes about working-class childhood and working his way through college, earning an athletic scholarship.
● Endorsements: Philadelphia Democratic City Committee; State Senator Sharif Street; Councilmembers Kenyatta Johnson and Jim Harrity; and Mike Driscoll; State Rep Mary Isaacson, and City Controller Christy Brady, 5th Ward Dems, 9th Ward Dems, 24th Ward Dems
● Financials: PAC established in 2025; no reporting yet.
Philadelphia Bar Association: ✔Recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
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No Video - Withdrew from Candidate Forum
● Education: U Colorado BA (2009), Widener University Delaware Law School JD (2013)
● Professional: Has worked for the Gregory J. Pagano law firm since 2013, which takes high-profile defense cases. She focuses on family law and criminal defense. She interned there for two years before. Was a legal intern for four months at the Office of Public Defender (Cape May, NJ) while in law school.
● Volunteer/pro bono work: Spoke about pro bono work at 2015 event and participated in Signing Day at Cristo Rey.
● Personal: Lives in Graduate Hospital neighborhood with husband who is an electrician and Marine veteran.
● Endorsements: Phila Dem City Committee, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Carpenters, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, 2nd Ward Dems, 5th Ward Dems, 9th Ward Dems, Working Families Party
● Financials: No information yet.
Philadelphia Bar Association: ✔Recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
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No Video - Withdrew from Candidate Forum
● Education: Temple Law JD (2000)
● Professional: Irina Ehrlich worked as an Assistant District Attorney for 13 years, before starting a private practice that has focused on immigration law and criminal defense for the last 12 years. She is reflecting the values of this organization by centering civil rights and immigrants justice in her campaign.
● Personal: She herself is a refugee from the Soviet Union and speaks Russian and Ukrainian. Her husband, Charlie Ehrlich, is a current Common Pleas judge.
● Endorsements: Phila Dem City Committee; State Rep Joe Hohenstein, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, 2nd Ward Dems, 5th Ward Dems, 9th Ward Dems, Working Families Party
Philadelphia Bar Association: ✔Recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
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No Video - Withdrew from Candidate Forum
● Education: Michigan State University BA (1986); Catholic University of America JD (1990)
● Professional: Has been an Assistant DA for three decades, with over 150 homicide jury trials and over 1000 jury and bench trials.
● Volunteer/pro bono work: Mentors young lawyers, has received several public service awards.
● Personal: Born and raised in Detroit, the daughter of a public-school teacher and an auto worker. Before going to law school, she was a public-school teacher in Detroit. Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
● Philadelphia Board of Ethics Violation: In 2015, she ran for Court of Common Pleas and was fined by the Board of Ethics for a campaign finance ethics violation for planning a retirement party (as she stepped down from DA’s office) that doubled as a fundraising event for her campaign. She agreed to pay$300 civil penalty and did not run for judge that year. Link to Settlement Agreement
● Endorsements: Philadelphia Democratic City Committee, 2nd Ward Dems, 5th Ward Dems, 9th Ward Dems, 24th Ward Dems, AFSCME DC 47
● Financials: No information yet
Philadelphia Bar Association Recommendation: ✔Recommended Pa Disciplinary Board history: ✔None
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No Video - Withdrew from Candidate Forum
● Education: Johnson C. Smith University BS; Drexel JD 2015, also has a Master’s in Public Health from West Chester University.
● Professional: Was an Assistant City Solicitor - labor and employment counsel for City of Philadelphia (2016-2021), then Deputy City Solicitor for Philadelphia (6 months - Jan-Jun 2021), and Executive Director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (2021-2025). Before becoming an attorney, she was a program analyst in the Philadelphia Dept of Public Health and then a management consultant performing audits on programs funded by the Dept of Health and Human services.
● Personal: Grew up in Oak Lane
● Endorsements: City Councilmember Rue Landau; Phila Dem City Committee, Rep Amen Brown, Rep Darisha Parker, Carpenters, We Build LDC, District Council 47 AFSCME, DC 33 AFSCME, IUPAT DC 21, IBEW 98, Operating Engineers 542, Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Regional Council, Philadelphia , Neighborhood Networks, 2nd Ward Dems, 5th Ward Dems, 9th Ward Dems, 24h Ward Dems
Philadelphia Bar Association: ✔Recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
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No Video - Withdrew from Candidate Forum
● Education : Villanova BA (1990), Temple Law JD (1994)
● Professional: 14 years as a practicing attorney, State Senator from 2008-2020; was Dem Chair of Judiciary Committee in State Senate. Did work on criminal justice reform; sponsored bills to update PA Hate crimes legislation, reform and restrict solitary confinement and create a Juvenile Justice taskforce in PA. He was lauded by Conservation Voters PA for his environmental advocacy and standing up to gas industry. Championed free speech, proposing bill to curb SLAPP lawsuits. He fought for LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinances. He has taught at Villanova and Temple Law schools.
● Bribery charge: Accused of bribing a Philadelphia Democratic Committee Person - acquitted.
● Personal: Grew up in Drexel Hill,
● Endorsements: State Senator Nikil Saval and State Senator Sharif Street, Philadelphia Democratic City Committee, State Reps Danilo Burgos, Mary Isaacson, Ben Waxman, City Commissioner Omar Sabir, Councilmember Jimmy Harrity, Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters, IUOE 542 Operating Engineers, Teamsters Local 830, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Working Families Party, 5th Ward Dems, 9th Ward Dems, 24th Ward Dems
● Financials: No information on this cycle yet
Philadelphia Bar Association: ✔Recommended Pa Disciplinary Board history: ✔None
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Judge of the Municipal Court
(Vote for not more than 3)
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CLICK HERE to watch his appearance at our April 2025 Candidate Forum
● Education: Widener University School of Law JD 1994
● Professional: Mike has been running an independent law firm in Philadelphia for 31 years representing mostly defendants of juvenile justice and personal injury cases.
● Advocacy/Pro Bono work: Federal reentry programs, free expungement clinics. He is a demonstrated supporter of progressive causes as he is a frequent face at protests, strikes and campaign events. He has also represented activists pro bono as part of Up Against the Law Legal Collective.
● Personal: Raised in NE Philadelphia by working-class parents; first in his family to graduate from college.
● Endorsements: District Attorney Larry Krasner, State Senator Nikil Saval, and State Representatives José Giral Burgos, Elizabeth Fiedler, and Rick Krajewski; AFSCME DC 33, AFSCME 1199C, AFSCME DC 47 & TEAMSTERS Local 830. Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, 2nd Ward Dems, Mt. Airy Dems, Vote the Ridge. Legal community: HON. ROBERT B. KUGLER (RET.), US Federal District Court Judge, Retired, HOWARD BRUCE KLEIN, Former Assistant U.S. Attorney, ROCCO C. CIPPARONE, JR., Criminal Trial Attorney, Former Federal Prosecutor & Law Professor, MEGAN J. DAVIES, Criminal Trial Attorney, and TROY A. ARCHIE, ESQUIRE.
Philadelphia Bar Association: ✔Recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
Raised in northeast Philadelphia by working-class parents, Mike Huff was the first in his family to graduate from college. He has been running an independent criminal justice law firm in Philadelphia for 31 years, representing mostly defendants in juvenile justice and personal injury cases. He is admitted to practice in three states (PA, NJ and NY) and has appeared before the Municipal and Common Pleas Courts hundreds of times. Huff does a lot of pro bono work in federal reentry programs and free expungement clinics. He has also represented activists pro bono as part of the Up Against the Law Legal Collective and is active in northwest Philadelphia community organizations.
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CLICK HERE to watch her appearance at our April 2025 Candidate Forum
● Education: U Penn BA, 1975; St. Thomas University Law School JD (Florida), 1993
● Professional: LinkedIn profile lists Tenant Union Representative Network but no further public details about employment and specifics of litigation experience.
● Advocacy/volunteer work: She has been involved with the Coalition For Essential Services, the Coalition to Save the Libraries, as Co-chair of International Women’s Day Coalition, and Liberty City LGBTQ Democratic Club. She has previously run unsuccessfully for City Council and judge.
● Endorsements: Larry Krasner, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Mount Airy Democrats, Working Families Party, 24th Ward Dems.
Philadelphia Bar Association: X - Not recommended in 2021 and 2025
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
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CLICK HERE to watch his appearance at our April 2025 Candidate Forum
● Education: Cheyney University BA; St. Thomas School of Law (Florida) JD
● Professional: Campaign website states he has 25+ years of courtroom experience. There is no LinkedIn or other professional website listing or confirming where he has worked; only his office address listing on Justia.
● Volunteer/pro bono work: Volunteer with Philadelphia Bar Assn program in city high schools. Youth football coach.
● Personal: writes that he was born in Plattsburgh, NY and the family relocated to the Richard Allen Homes in North Philadelphia, where he grew up. Attended Saul High School in Roxborough.
● Endorsements: Mt. Airy Democrats.
● Financials: No information yet.
Philadelphia Bar Association: X - Not Recommended in 2023 or 2025 cycles.
PA Disciplinary Board history: X - Has a record with disciplinary board of PAREAD MORE HERE -
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No video - did not attend candidate forum
● Education: Temple BA; Drexel Law JD (2014)
● Professional: Since about 2020, he has served as Chief Counsel for State Senator Anthony Williams. He has worked with the state senator on legislation to seal non-violent criminal records, require review and termination of extended probation terms, and prohibit hate-based intimidation. Does not list trial experience.
● Advocacy: On his website, he says he has “helped people expunge their records, find gainful employment, and access needed mental health treatment.”
● Personal: Grew up in South Philadelphia, attended Bodine HS.● Endorsements: Philadelphia Democratic City Committee, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Working Families Party PA, 2nd Ward Dems, 9th Ward Dems
● Financial - no reports available yet for this cycle. Reports from previous cycles 2021-2023.
Philadelphia Bar Association: X Not recommended in 2023 or 2025
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PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
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No Video - Withdrew from Candidate Forum
● Education: Trenton State College BA (1991); Temple Law School JD (1994)
● Professional: Davidson is currently a senior trial attorney at Fine, Staud and Levy, which does personal injury law. Davidson’s areas of practice include auto/truck/bus accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice and workers’ compensation. She owned her own law practice for 15 years.
● Volunteer work: Temple Law Alumni Assn Women’s Leadership Initiative
● Endorsements: Philadelphia Democratic City Committee, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, 2nd Ward Dems, 5th Ward Dems
● Financials: PAC had $52,841.83 on hand as of 12/31/24
Philadelphia Bar Association: ✔Recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: ✔None -
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No video - did not attend candidate forum
● Education: Cabrini College; Widener Law School JD
● Professional: First worked in banking and real estate. Clerked at Nino V. Tinari. In 2018 became a partner at Mincey, Fitzpatrick, Ross. He is a trial lawyer, specializing in criminal defense, practicing in Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Bucks counties. He has participated in 100 bench trials and ~50 jury trials.
● Pro bono work: Expungement clinics & represents indigent individuals.
● Went to law school in the evenings while working full-time and raising three kids. Prioritizes the issues of gun violence, drug addiction, childhood trauma, crime prevention, and public safety.
● Endorsements: Phila Dem City Committee; State Sen Sharif Street; State Rep Keith Harris; Councilmember Anthony Phillips; Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Regional Council
● Financials: Had $21,174.48 on hand on 12/31/2024.
Philadelphia Bar Association: X Not recommended
PA Disciplinary Board history: X -Received a public reprimand in 2021 and had an admonition by PA Disciplinary Board in 2019. Read more here. -