PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Latest on Philadelphia Prosecutor-Primary (all times local):
9:40 p.m.
A civil rights lawyer who has defended Black Lives Matter and Occupy Philadelphia protesters is poised to become Philadelphia’s next district attorney.
Larry Krasner (kraz-ner) has never worked as a prosecutor. But he benefited from a $1.5 million donation from liberal billionaire George Soros to an independent political action committee that ran commercials and sent out canvassers in support of his candidacy.
Krasner strongly opposes the death penalty and mass incarceration.
He defeated a crowded field that included veteran prosecutors and a former city manager to win the nomination in the overwhelmingly Democratic city.
Incumbent Democrat Seth Williams is not running for a third term amid federal bribery charges.
Krasner will face the lone Republican candidate, Beth Grossman, in the fall.
In the city controller’s race, former mayoral aide Rebecca Rhynhart defeated incumbent Alan Butkovitz for the Democratic nomination. ___
This story has been clarified to show that the $1.5 million donation from Soros was to an independent political action committee. ___
3:15 p.m.
The typically sedate race for Philadelphia District Attorney is an intriguing contest this year.
Eight newcomers are vying for the job that helps shape city policy on sanctuary cities, police use of force, prison reform and other national issues.
Seven are Democrats seeking to succeed two-term Democrat Seth Williams, who goes on trial next month in a federal bribery case. They include a Pakistani-American, a Cuban-American, a black Muslim and a white civil rights lawyer, Larry Krasner, who has defended Occupy Philadelphia and Black Lives Matter protesters. He also enjoys a nearly $1.5 million boost from liberal billionaire George Soros.
No clear favorite has emerged despite the Soros money and endorsements spread across the field.
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