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District Attorney Candidate Nathan Hochman speaks alongside Actress Esme Bianco during a press conference to criticize L.A. County D.A. George Gascón for not yet prosecuting the singer Marilyn Manson, and mishandling scores of other cases involving gender-based violence on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)Former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman has defeated incumbent George Gascón in the race to become the next Los Angeles County District Attorney.
Gascón’s progressive policies got him elected into office in 2020, but have since made him the target of critics who accuse him of being too soft on crime. Gascón has denied allegations that his policies have resulted in an increase in crime and insists that statistics show a decrease in many categories. However, Hochman disputed this and said he would ensure people are serving appropriate punishment for their crimes.
"We'll go back to just two things -- the facts and the law," Hochman told his supporters gathered in Beverly Hills Tuesday night.
Semi-official results from Tuesday’s election show Hochman has 61% of the vote, and Gascón has 39%. As of Wednesday morning, 59% of the votes have been counted.
"The voices of the residents of L.A. County have been heard and they're saying enough is enough of George Gascón's policies and they look forward to a safer future," Hochman said.
Violent crime is up about 8% from 2019 to 2023 countywide, but in L.A., violent crime decreased by about 6%, according to the California Department of Justice.
"We should not be worse than any other D.A.'s office out there. The L.A. County D.A.'s Office used to be the gold standard by which all other D.A.'s offices had measured," Hochman said.
Gascón did push back and said D.A.’s office was previously known as the "most carceral county in the country." He insisted that his office has held criminals accountable for their crimes, including retail theft.
"The reality is that the problem of policing certain crimes is not unique to our county," Gascón said during a debate hosted by KNX. "Frankly, it's not unique to the moment, but the job of the district attorney is not to police. The job of the district attorney is to prosecute, and when cases are being brought in front of us, we're looking at those cases and we're holding people accountable the way that we can do best."
Gascón said his office has a filing rate of 90% related to residential burglaries. He also said he has a tougher stance on prosecuting law enforcement officers accused of misconduct or excessive force.
Hochman said he was a co-founder of the L.A. Sheriff's Foundation, which raises funds to support the department.
"When I speak to police officers, I make it crystal clear, if you cross the line, you will be prosecuted," Hochman said.
The Association of Deputy D.A.’s hailed Hochman’s victory as a "pivotal moment in the fight to return balance and accountability to the justice system and to prioritize public safety in a county that has seen a dangerous decline under the failed leadership of George Gascón."
Gascón has not yet released a statement regarding the results of the election. He previously survived two attempts to recall him. Gascón also has been accused by 20 prosecutors of workplace retaliation.