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Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon will not receive another term after voters strongly supported his challenger, Nathan Hochman.
The incumbent was trailing for most of the campaign, despite receiving key support from the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.
Elected in 2020 on a wave of settlements over law enforcement violence and differences in the prosecution and sentencing of certain criminals, Gascón’s apparently only term as district attorney is one of the worst in recent memory. And it will be the most controversial, if not the most important.
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Gascón gained popularity after taking office primarily because he supported a zero-bail policy that would require all juveniles to be tried in juvenile court and provide less severe sentences for non-violent crimes.
He has been regularly targeted by conservative commentators, law enforcement officials and many of his deputy district attorneys, who blame his policies for a spike in violent robberies, increases in thefts and other petty crimes. and accused his office of possibly pursuing less severe prosecutions than his predecessor.
He has survived two recall efforts, but his bid for another term appears to have failed.
George Gascón and Nathan Hockman are pictured in an undated photo. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images; Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
On Tuesday, voters decided not to give Gascón’s progressive policies a long shot to see if he can bring about the systemic changes he vows to bring to L.A. County.
Instead, the new prosecutor appears to be Nathan Hochman. He is a former federal prosecutor who ran on the platform of “restoring safety and justice” to the county. Mr. Hochman’s biggest supporters were conservatives who had clashed with Mr. Gascón from Offset, law enforcement unions, advocacy groups, and moderates dissatisfied with the changes that had occurred since 2020.
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Mr. Hochman has described himself as a supporter of judicial reform, but he has expressed support for reversing many of the policies introduced by Mr. Gascon.
Mr. Hochman has four years to rebuild the prosecutor’s office in his image and restore confidence in the criminal justice system that nearly evaporated under his predecessor, once praised in an election five years ago. A reprieve will be granted.
For the latest vote tallies for other statewide races and voting activity in California, click here.
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