A new poll released Monday shows former Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Hochman holding a decisive lead over incumbent Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon.
The study, conducted by researchers from USC, CSU Long Beach and the University of California, Pomona, showed Gascón with a 24-point lead over his challenger. About 44% of potential voters said they planned to support Mr. Hochman, and 20% said they would support Mr. Gascón. Polls show that nearly 33% of voters are still undecided.
Gascón’s support has been declining since he won about 25% of the vote in the March primary. Hochman’s support, meanwhile, has increased since the primary, when he won nearly 16% of the vote in a crowded field with 10 other candidates.
Christian Gross, a professor of political science, international relations, and public policy at the USC Price School of Public Policy, said, “This poll shows that voters are concerned about crime, and voters who are concerned about crime may support Hochman.” “It also shows that they have a high level of sexuality.”
Concerns about public safety appear to be driving support for Proposition 36, which increases criminal penalties for repeat drug and property offenders.
Despite opposition from prominent Democratic leaders, 57.9% of likely California voters support the measure. The proposal would repeal a key provision of a 2014 ballot initiative that aimed to address prison overcrowding by reclassifying some theft and drug-related crimes as misdemeanors.
The California Secretary of State’s Office announced that counties will begin mailing ballots to voters on October 7th.
