In a decisive stand against soft-on-crime policies, Los Angeles County voters ousted District Attorney George Gascón, sending a clear message that law and order matter. Gascón, the face of so-called “progressive” prosecutorial reforms, was handily defeated by Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor who campaigned on a promise to restore public safety and accountability. Hochman secured a landslide victory, earning well over 60% of the vote—a mandate that speaks to the frustration felt by Californians over the skyrocketing crime that has plagued Los Angeles County.
Gascón’s tenure as DA since 2020 has been marked by his controversial reforms, which included eliminating cash bail, opposing the death penalty, and refusing to try juveniles as adults—even in cases of violent crime. He was known as the “godfather of progressive prosecutors,” yet his policies quickly earned a reputation for favoring criminals over victims and leaving law-abiding citizens feeling increasingly vulnerable. Hochman didn’t mince words after the win, saying, “The voters of Los Angeles County have spoken and have said enough is enough of D.A. Gascón’s pro-criminal extreme policies; they look forward to a safer future.”
Hochman has pledged to be a DA for everyone, promising to prioritize public safety above all. “As D.A., I look forward to representing all of the people, whether they voted for me or not, since their safety will be my responsibility,” he declared, signaling a dramatic shift from Gascón’s divisive approach.
During his campaign, Hochman didn’t shy away from calling out the grim statistics. Violent crime in Los Angeles County jumped by 8% from 2019 to 2023, according to California Department of Justice data. And it wasn’t just L.A.—similar trends were reported statewide, yet Los Angeles consistently ranked among the highest. Despite Gascón’s claim to promote “justice reform,” his policies seemed to have fueled more crime than they deterred.
Throughout his turbulent tenure, Gascón managed to survive two recall attempts, despite growing outrage from voters. His policies, like reclassifying serious drug and property crimes as misdemeanors, effectively signaled to criminals that they had a free pass. But this year, Californians also voted to reverse part of his 2014 ballot measure, approving a law that once again makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders and increases penalties for drug offenses. It’s clear the state is waking up to the consequences of Gascón’s policies and shifting back toward real accountability.
Even within his own office, Gascón faced fierce opposition. Over 20 prosecutors sued him, alleging they were demoted or retaliated against for challenging his policies. The prosecutors’ union called Hochman’s win a “pivotal moment in the fight to return balance and accountability to the justice system.”
Unlike his predecessor, Hochman has won the backing of local police unions, victims’ rights advocates, and even former District Attorney Jackie Lacey, whom Gascón defeated in 2020. L.A. law enforcement and victims’ groups see Hochman as a return to reason. Even as results were coming in on election night, Hochman vowed to “make crimes illegal again,” a pointed jab at the lax policies of his predecessor.
Hochman has also pledged to reinstate key legal tools for his prosecutors, such as the ability to seek the death penalty in certain cases and use sentencing enhancements to increase prison time for gang-related crimes. These tools, largely abandoned by Gascón, are essential in combating serious crime and sending a strong message to offenders.
A lifelong centrist, Hochman ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for California attorney general in 2022, but this time he ran as an independent, focusing less on party lines and more on policy solutions. His victory in a historically liberal Los Angeles County suggests that when it comes to safety, voters will cross party lines to restore law and order.
Californians have sent a clear message: They want their neighborhoods to be safe again, and they’re done with the failed experiment of progressive “justice reform.” In Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles County has chosen a prosecutor who prioritizes the rights of victims over the rights of criminals, marking a new chapter of accountability and safety for the community.
