Facing 11 challengers, the progressive prosecutor holds on to his lead
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has secured his spot in the runoff election for the nation’s largest prosecutor’s office, after facing 11 challengers in the primary. Gascón, who was elected in 2020 on a platform of criminal justice reform, will compete in November against the second highest vote-getter, Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor and defense attorney who ran as a Republican.
Gascón needed to get more than 50% of the votes to win the primary outright, but he fell short of that threshold, triggering a runoff race in November. According to the latest results, Gascón had 46.7% of the votes, while Hochman had 25.4%. The other candidates, who included current and former prosecutors, judges, and public defenders, trailed behind with single-digit percentages.
Gascón’s progressive policies spark backlash and recall attempts
Gascón, a former police chief and two-term San Francisco district attorney, has implemented sweeping changes in his first term as LA County DA, such as ending the death penalty, not prosecuting juveniles as adults, ending cash bail for most offenses, and not filing sentencing enhancements that could result in longer prison terms. He has also reopened hundreds of cases involving police shootings and misconduct, and created a unit to review wrongful convictions.
Gascón’s policies have drawn praise from reform advocates and civil rights groups, who see him as a leader in the movement to end mass incarceration and racial disparities in the criminal justice system. However, they have also sparked fierce opposition from some crime victims, law enforcement unions, and his own prosecutors, who accuse him of being soft on crime, endangering public safety, and ignoring the rights of victims.
Gascón has faced two recall attempts within his first year in office, both of which failed to gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. He has also faced lawsuits from his own prosecutors’ union and some city attorneys, who challenged his authority to implement some of his policies. Gascón has defended his actions as lawful and necessary to address the systemic problems in the criminal justice system.
Hochman vows to restore public safety and victims’ rights
Hochman, who served as an assistant U.S. attorney and a tax division chief in the Justice Department under President George W. Bush, has positioned himself as the main alternative to Gascón. Hochman, who also ran for California attorney general in 2022 as a Republican, has criticized Gascón’s policies as radical and dangerous, and promised to restore public safety and victims’ rights if elected.
Hochman has tried to capitalize on the public’s frustration over the rise in property crime, homelessness, and quality-of-life issues in LA County, which he blames on Gascón’s leniency and lack of accountability. He has also highlighted the recent wave of smash-and-grab robberies at high-end stores, which have generated national attention and prompted the mayor and the police chief to announce new measures to combat the problem.
Hochman has received endorsements from several law enforcement groups, crime victims’ organizations, and former LA County DA Steve Cooley, who served from 2000 to 2012. He has also raised more money than Gascón, thanks to the support of some wealthy donors and political action committees.
The runoff election will be a test of the public’s appetite for reform
The runoff election in November will be a test of the public’s appetite for criminal justice reform in LA County, which has a population of more than 10 million people and a jail system that is the largest in the country. The race will also have implications for the national debate over the role and direction of prosecutors, who have the power to shape the outcomes of millions of cases and the lives of millions of people.
Gascón and Hochman represent two contrasting visions of what a prosecutor should be and do, and their campaigns will likely highlight their differences and appeal to their respective bases. Gascón will likely emphasize his record of reform and innovation, and his commitment to addressing the root causes of crime and reducing racial and economic disparities in the justice system. Hochman will likely stress his experience and expertise, and his pledge to uphold the rule of law and protect the public and the victims from violent and repeat offenders.
The runoff election will be held on November 5, 2024, along with other local, state, and federal races. The winner will serve a four-year term as the LA County DA, starting from January 2025.
