Joe Khan
Joe Khan | |
|---|---|
| Bucks County District Attorney-elect | |
| Assuming office January 5, 2026 | |
| Succeeding | Jennifer Schorn |
| Bucks County Solicitor | |
| In office January 6, 2020 – April 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Klimpl |
| Succeeded by | Amy Fitzpatrick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1975 or 1976 (age 49–50) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Swarthmore College University of Chicago Law School |
Joe Khan (born 1975 or 1976) is an American politician and prosecutor who is the Bucks County District Attorney-elect. He previously served as the Bucks County Solicitor from 2020 to 2023, and unsuccessfully ran election campaigns to be District Attorney of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Attorney General.
Early career
Khan spent his early career working in the Philadelphia District Attorney's office, before moving to the United States Attorney's office.[1] In the U.S. Attorney's office, he worked to fight crime and corruption.[2]
Political career
2017 Philadelphia District Attorney election
Khan launched his campaign to be the next District Attorney of Philadelphia in September 2016. He campaigned on progressive values, such as handling overspending on low-level drug possession cases. He had raised over $200,000 by January 1, 2017.[3] The ideas he campaigned on were similar to two of his primary opponents, Larry Krasner and Michael Untermeyer.[4] Krasner went on to win the primary, and Khan finished in second with around 20% of the vote.[5]
Bucks County Solicitor
Khan was first appointed as the Bucks County Solicitor on January 6, 2020.[6][7] Amidst Republican Party efforts to disrupt the 2024 United States presidential election, the Donald Trump campaign attempted to block county officials from notifying voters that their mail-in ballots were being challenged on election day. Khan worked to oppose the lawsuit and the case was thrown out on November 4, 2020.[8] In 2021, he worked to help certain criminal offenders clear their record through an expungement program at the Bucks County Public Defender's Office.[9] The Pennsylvania Bar Association named him the government lawyer of the year in 2022.[10] He resigned in April 2023 to return to private law practice.[11]
2024 Pennsylvania Attorney General election
It was speculated that Khan was considering a run for Pennsylvania Attorney General in December 2022.[12] He officially launched his bid to be the Democratic nominee on June 7, 2023.[13] He ran on his record as a prosecutor, stating that "public safety will be a top issue in this race."[14] He finished in third, behind Eugene DePasquale. He received 16% of the vote.[15]
2025 Bucks County District Attorney election
Khan announced his bid to unseat incumbent Republican district attorney Jennifer Schorn in March 2025. He received the support of the Bucks County Democratic Committee.[16] He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and became the party's nominee on May 20, 2025.[17] He has criticized Schorn for her handling of abuse allegations at a local elementary school.[18] He defeated Schorn in the general election on November 4, 2025.
Personal life
His brother, Tarik, is a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.[19]
References
- ^ Salisbury, Greg (March 7, 2017). "Joe Khan's quest to return to the District Attorney's Office – as DA". City & State Pennsylvania. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Rodriguez, Jeremy (May 4, 2017). "District Attorney: Joe Khan". Philadelphia Gay News. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Davies, Dave (March 7, 2017). "In Philly DA's race early, Khan promises progressive agenda". WHYY. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Otterbein, Holly (February 28, 2017). "The D.A. Candidate Who Wants to Stop Prosecuting Most Low-Level Drug Offenses". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Allyn, Bobby (May 17, 2017). "Larry Krasner decisively carries Philly DA primary, fending off six challengers". WHYY. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ "County Solicitor". Bucks County. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Kise, Jacob (March 10, 2025). "Former county solicitor to run for Bucks County DA". WFMZ. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Quann, Peg (November 4, 2020). "Bucks judge dismisses suit brought by Trump campaign against county Board of Elections". PhillyBurbs. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Williams, Damon C. (September 28, 2021). "Bucks County wants to help certain offenders clear their criminal records. Here's how". PhillyBurbs. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ "PBA Names County Solicitor Joe Khan Government Lawyer of the Year". Bucks County. November 21, 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Quann, Peg (February 17, 2023). "Bucks County solicitor Joe Khan to resign, PAC set up for possible run for PA Attorney General". PhillyBurbs. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Brennan, Chris (December 2, 2022). "At Pennsylvania Society, jockeying for the 2024 race for state attorney general gets going". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Rizzo, Emily (June 7, 2023). "Former Bucks County Solicitor Joe Khan announces run for 2024 Pennsylvania attorney general". WHYY. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Casey, Lela (January 22, 2024). "Bucks County Democrat Joe Khan Wants to Be Pennsylvania's Next Attorney General". Bucks County Beacon. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ "Democratic Attorney General Primary: Pennsylvania Results 2024". CNN. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Ciavaglia, Jo (March 13, 2025). "Former Bucks County solicitor is challenging the incumbent DA. Who else is on the ballot?". PhillyBurbs. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Sofield, Tom (April 24, 2025). "Veteran Lawyer Joe Khan Sets Sights On Expanding Scope Of District Attorney's Office". LevittownNow.com. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Neil, Emily (October 7, 2025). "Race to watch: What Bucks County voters need to know about DA Jennifer Schorn and Democratic challenger Joe Khan". WHYY. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ Lear, Len (April 11, 2024). "State Rep. Tarik Khan's brother Joe is running for state AG". The Chestnut Hill Local. Retrieved 28 October 2025.