Californians, fed up with soaring crime, voted overwhelmingly to replace Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, the godfather of progressive prosecutors.
Gascón, a former federal prosecutor who introduced sweeping criminal justice reforms shortly after his election in 2020, campaigned against the prosecutor's office's controversial “public safety failures” during his four years in office. He lost to Nathan Hockman, receiving less than 40% of the vote. .
“Los Angeles County voters are speaking out and saying they've had enough of the Gascon DA's office's extreme pro-crime policies. They look forward to a safer future,” Hochman said in a statement early Wednesday morning. said in a statement.
“As prosecutor, it is my responsibility to keep all of our citizens safe, whether they voted for me or not, so I look forward to representing all of our citizens,” he promised.
Gascon has not yet commented on the race.
During his campaign, Hochman, who was expected to win, highlighted the rise in violent crime in the county, a trend that was also seen at the statewide and national level.
Los Angeles County saw an 8% increase in violent crime from 2019 to 2023, according to data from the California Department of Justice. Los Angeles Times reported — However, other California counties with traditional prosecutors saw more increases.
Mr. Gascón twice faced growing dissatisfaction with the state's mitigation policies, including eliminating cash bail, not seeking the death penalty, and reluctance to try juveniles as adults. Survived a recall attempt.
He also co-authored a ballot measure passed by California voters in 2014 that reclassified certain low-level drug and property crimes as misdemeanors rather than felonies. On Tuesday, voters approved the measure It would partially repeal that law, making shoplifting a felony again for repeat offenders and increasing penalties for some drug charges.
His policies also sparked fierce backlash from those who work in his office. He is also being sued by more than 20 prosecutors, who allege they were demoted or otherwise retaliated against for challenging his policies, according to the LA Times.
The prosecutors union called Hochman's victory “a pivotal moment in the fight to restore balance and accountability to the justice system.”
Despite Gascón being a former Los Angeles police officer, Hochman had the backing of local police unions. He also received support from victim advocacy groups, former District Attorney Jackie Lacey, whom Gascón defeated in 2020, and more than 70 current and former county elected officials.
“We're going to make crime illegal again,” he said as votes were cast on Tuesday night. LAist reported.
During his campaign, he vowed to allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty again in certain circumstances. He also promised his office would pursue broader sentencing enhancements, which could add prison terms for crimes related to gang activity, according to the LA Times.
Hochman previously ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for California's attorney general in 2022, but the lifelong centrist is an independent in this race.
with post wire
