Q&A with Matt Dugan, Candidate for Allegheny County District Attorney

It’s important for the justice system to meet people where they are and recognize there are different concerns/issues/fears for different communities. That’s not something that’s taught in law school, but something I’ve learned over time.

Our next post of our 2023 primary election season series ‘Political Q&A’ with progressive candidates throughout Pennsylvania. Candidates can be anywhere in Pennsylvania running for any level of office. Please note that these are not necessarily endorsements, more of an opportunity for candidates to connect with the LGBTQ community, progressives neighbors, and others with an interest in Western Pennsylvania. If your candidate would like to participate, please contact us pghlesbian at gmail dot com. We welcome candidates at all levels of government across the entire Commonwealth.

By participating, candidates are saying that they

must be an LGBTQIA+ ally, specifically supporting equality and dignity for transgender persons
identify as pro-choice
must affirm that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election and that they accept the certified Pennsylvania’s election results

Like many of you, I was pleasantly surprised almost shocked when the Allegheny County Democratic Committee endorsed Matt Dugan over the incumbent. Previous attempts to unseat him had been unsuccessful and it was presumed he had a lot of party support. The party changed during the last round of Committee elections and they chose Dugan. I haven’t met Matt Dugan in person. What I see in his interviews and on-camera appearances is that he is intelligent, charismatic, and seems pretty sincere. So I was pleased when he agreed to complete my Q&A.

Maybe it takes a smart progressive white cis het man to help to break the stranglehold old-school politics has on local Democrats and our lives, including the most vulnerable of our neighbors, in this particular office. Maybe it takes someone who has defended the public – literally – to understand the needs of the District Attorney’s office. Maybe we need to seriously consider if any white chis het man who has held elected office for 20+ years can even be in touch with the community. Maybe we need to seriously give Matt Dugan consideration.

PS his campaign language about dignity, respect, and humanity definitely hit a nerve with me

Your Name: Matt Dugan

Your Pronouns: he/him/his

The Office You Seek: Allegheny County District Attorney

How do you describe your identity? I am a cisgender heterosexual male

How has redistricting impacted your district? n/a

Tell us about the first LGBTQ person you met and what impact they had on your life? Using initials or pseudonyms is fine.

My closest experience with the LGBTQ community is my youngest brother, Ryan. He courageously came out as a gay man two years after he graduated college. He talked about the stress, fear, and anxiety surrounding that decision, but felt comfortable coming to me and my siblings because he knew he’d have our support. My parents were immediately supportive as well. He and his partner, Jorge (Uncle Jorge to my children), have been together for several years. They live in Brooklyn, NY, but we see them often.

The criminal justice system, the District Attorney’s office especially, is very good at attempting to broadly label defendants: addict, abuser, criminal, etc. It’s the job of a public defender to strip away those labels and to reveal to the court the humanity of the person standing before it. That requires recognizing the role gender, race, income, sexual orientation or gender identity play in shaping an individual and can help explain how and why individuals find themselves in the justice system.

How has your familiarity with the LGBTQ community in your district and the region changed since you began working with the Public Defenders Office?

I’ve seen the criminal justice system attempt a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model for years. I know that doesn’t work. When individuals come before the justice system – as victims, witnesses, or defendants – it’s vital to recognize their humanity and dignity. That’s especially true of our most marginalized communities. It’s important for the justice system to meet people where they are and recognize there are different concerns/issues/fears for different communities. That’s not something that’s taught in law school, but something I’ve learned over time at the OPD representing 1000’s of clients.

Based on this, what do you understand to be our top LGBTQ concerns and priorities for the District Attorney? How will you respond to those priorities?

As a campaign we believe that all Allegheny County residents’ priority is a criminal justice system that recognizes the humanity and dignity of all people who come before it. Defendants, victims, and witnesses deserve equal rights and respect regardless of race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

Please give an example of how intersectionality has informed your work.

The criminal justice system, the District Attorney’s office especially, is very good at attempting to broadly label defendants: addict, abuser, criminal, etc. It’s the job of a public defender to strip away those labels and to reveal to the court the humanity of the person standing before it. That requires recognizing the role gender, race, income, sexual orientation or gender identity play in shaping an individual and can help explain how and why individuals find themselves in the justice system.

Please give an example of when another employee in the Public Defender’s Office has persuaded you to change or adjust your perspective on an issue.

That happens frequently. As we have expanded the reach of our recruiting efforts, we’ve been able to add a more diverse group of attorneys and staff to our office and leadership team. I value that diversity as brings different perspectives, experiences, and solutions to the table.

Should the District Attorney’s office be term limited? The current DA has been in office for about 24 years. Is that in the best interests of the public? Can we see the criminal justice reform we so desperately want in Allegheny County if we don’t change the people in charge – the current DA and the current Jail Warden?

An active and informed electorate ensures that elections operate as term limits. We can not see the reform we want if the current District Attorney remains in office. This is why I’m running to replace him.

Inevitably, your campaign has drawn comparisons with Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner. Would you implement any of his policies in Allegheny County? Why or why not?

Allegheny County is not Philadelphia. It is impossible to compare the two and if elected, I will be implementing policies based on the needs of the people of Allegheny County not Philadelphia.

I acknowledge that systemic racism exists and that there are significant racial disparities in our criminal justice system, and will actively work to eradicate those disparities with every decision and policy my office implements. We will build a system that works for all members of our community.

Your website language repeatedly reminds us that alleged and acknowledged criminals are human beings with rights who deserve dignity. You also point out that reducing crime requires the same thing – providing more supports and resources to people before they get desperate and when they are rebuilding their life. Acknowledging the humanity of a criminal does not reduce the humanity of the victim. Victims also deserve supports and resources, to be treated with dignity and respect. Is that a fair assessment of where you stand?

Yes.

From your vantage as a former School Board Director, do book bans and demonizing drag queens create safer schools?

No.

Does the Public Defender’s Office track LGBTQ data related to the people you represent? Does the District Attorney? Do you see value in this level of tracking to support vulnerable and marginalized communities?

We at the OPD do not track that data, however we discussed the importance and value of doing so. The difficult part of collecting the information is that it’s ‘self-reporting’ data and because we intake clients differently based on the stage of the criminal case (new charges, probation violation, appeal, etc.) we’re not always capturing the information – which would lead to underreporting of clients who identify as LGBTQ.

Please describe one policy, program, support, or resource your office provides specifically to the transgender and nonbinary communities whether that’s clients, staff, or the community.

Please see separately attached OPD office policy for representation of transgender and nonbinary clients.

(NOTE: click here to read the document referenced)

How do competitive primary elections benefit the residents of a community?

As we know, most countywide elections in Allegheny County are decided in the Primary. While my opponent – the incumbent – is technically a registered Democrat, I think it is safe to say that his office has not for the last two decades hewed to our Democratic values. It is long past time to elect someone whose values align with ours as Democrats.

What are three reasons people should vote for you/support your campaign?

1. I acknowledge that systemic racism exists and that there are significant racial disparities in our criminal justice system, and will actively work to eradicate those disparities with every decision and policy my office implements. We will build a system that works for all members of our community.

2. Under the current District Attorney’s watch, there has been an increase in violent crime in our County. The “Tough on Crime” politicians and their failed policies have not made our communities safer AND they cost us millions of taxpayer dollars. We must begin to think differently about how we combat violent crime. The District Attorney’s Office has the opportunity to partner with the City of Pittsburgh, the County Executive, Police Departments from across the County, and community organizations to develop a holistic approach to stop neighborhood violence. We must invest in the areas of our County most impacted by gun violence and meaningful Police – Community relationships to prevent violent crime.

3. 24 years is far too long. It’s time for reform.

Tell me about your other endorsements and supporters.

Endorsements: Allegheny County Democratic Committee, Young Democrats of Allegheny County, Steel City Stonewall Democrats, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, Working Families Party, One Pa, Real Justice, Color of Change, Mayor Ed Gainey, Congresswoman Summer Lee.

Where can readers find your campaign on social media?

facebook.com/DuganforDA

twitter.com/MattDugan4DA

Thank you, Matt.

Other Q&A’s in this election cycle series. You can read previous cycle Q&A’s here.

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