XPost: alt.crime, alt.los-angeles, talk.politics.guns
XPost: sac.politics, talk.politics.misc

Nathan Hochman defeated George Gasc�n in the race for Los Angeles County district attorney, unseating an incumbent known as the godfather of
progressive prosecutors.

Hochman, a former federal prosecutor, calls himself a �hard middle�
candidate who would reject both mass incarceration and the �public safety failure� of Gasc�n�s tenure the past four years. Hochman previously ran unsuccessfully for California attorney general as a Republican, but he was
an independent in this race and describes himself as a lifelong centrist.

He advanced out of a primary field of 11 challengers and spent most of the campaign attacking Gasc�n policies that he says led to increased crime and
a lack of consequences for juvenile offenders. During debates, he
spotlighted rising violent crime in the county since 2019, a trend also
seen statewide.

�The voters of Los Angeles County have spoken and have said enough is
enough of DA Gasc�n�s pro-criminal extreme policies; they look forward to
a safer future,� Hochman said in a statement early Wednesday. �As DA, I
look forward to representing all of the people, whether they voted for me
or not, since their safety will be my responsibility.�

Gasc�n conceded the race to Hochman and called him Wednesday, his campaign said.

�The rightward shift across America last night is heartbreaking. Democrats
have a long road ahead, but the work is more vital than ever and our
commitment will not waver,� Gasc�n said in a statement. �I�m deeply proud
of what we�ve accomplished over the past four years and grateful to the communities who have been and will always be the heart of criminal justice reform.�

Hochman�s victory reflects growing discontent in the state with
progressive district attorneys who have pushed criminal justice reform. Previously there were two attempts to recall Gasc�n that failed to qualify
for the ballot; San Francisco voters ousted one of the first reform-minded prosecutors elected to office in 2022. Oakland voters were asked in
Tuesday�s election whether to recall their own district attorney Pamela
Price, another progressive prosecutor, but it was too early to call.

Gasc�n co-authored a ballot measure passed by California voters in 2014
that reclassified certain low-level drug and property crimes as
misdemeanors instead of felonies. Also Tuesday, voters approved a measure
to partly roll back that law, making shoplifting a felony for repeat
offenders again and increasing penalties for some drug charges.

It is unclear what implications Hochman�s tenure will have for Erik and
Lyle Menendez, who are serving life for the killings of their parents in
their Beverly Hills home in 1989. Gasc�n recently recommended resentencing
for the brothers, a step that could lead to their release if a judge
agrees.

Hochman has said he cannot form an opinion on the case without access to prosecutors� files, but would conduct his own review if he became district attorney.

Despite Gasc�n being a former Los Angeles police officer, Hochman had the support of local police unions. He was also endorsed by victims� advocacy groups; former district attorney Jackie Lacey, whom Gasc�n defeated in
2020; developer and former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso; and more than 70 current and former county elected officials. Hochman raised nearly $4
million for the campaign.

Hochman�s victory was applauded by the prosecutors� union, which in a
statement called it a �pivotal moment in the fight to return balance and accountability to the justice system.�

A Southern California native, Hochman emphasized his past prosecutorial experience as assistant US attorney in California�s Central District. He
has also practiced as a private defense attorney.

https://smdp.com/2024/11/07/hochman-elected-los-angeles-county-district- attorney-ousting-progressive- gascon/?utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=gnews&utm_campaign=CDAqEAgAKgcI CjCkgNYLMLeb7QMwhOKvAw&utm_content=rundown

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)