In a resounding defeat for progressive criminal justice policies in Los Angeles, voters on Tuesday removed George Gascón, the city’s far-left district attorney, from office. Gascón, who has been criticized for his soft-on-crime approach, lost to former federal prosecutor and moderate independent Nathan Hochman. According to the latest counts from the Los Angeles County Registrar as of Wednesday morning, Hochman captured 61.5% of the vote to Gascón’s 38.5%. The Associated Press called the race in Hochman’s favor early Wednesday.
National Review reports that Hochman, a former Republican turned independent, ran a campaign focused on restoring law and order, addressing the city’s homelessness crisis, and steering Los Angeles away from the more lenient policies Gascón championed. “While the final votes haven’t been tallied, all indications are the voices of the residents of LA County have been heard, and they’re saying enough is enough of George [Gascón’s] policies. They look forward to a safer future,” Hochman said after early results were announced.
Gascón’s defeat marks another major blow for progressive Democrats in California. In 2022, San Francisco voters recalled far-left prosecutor Chesa Boudin. More recently, frustrated residents in Oakland and Alameda County also ousted Mayor Sheng Thao and District Attorney Pamela Price, both criticized for their perceived leniency on crime.
In Los Angeles, Hochman’s win was foreshadowed by polling that consistently showed his lead. An October survey from the University of California, Berkeley placed him 30 points ahead of Gascón, while a later poll indicated a 25-point lead for the moderate challenger.
Elected in 2020 during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, Gascón came to office promising sweeping criminal justice reforms. His platform included abolishing cash bail, ceasing to prosecute juveniles as adults, halting life-without-parole sentences, and ending sentencing enhancements in most cases. However, as crime rates surged and homelessness became increasingly visible and widespread, many residents began to lose faith in his progressive approach.
Before Tuesday’s election, Gascón had already faced two recall attempts, both of which ultimately failed to gather enough signatures. His tenure saw criticism not only from the public but also from within his office; by the time of his defeat, five current prosecutors in the district attorney’s office had openly challenged him, underscoring the internal discontent with his policies.
Hochman, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and former head of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, pledged to approach crime with a balance of fairness and accountability, advocating for a “smart on crime” philosophy that combines community safety with opportunities for rehabilitation. His victory signals a shift in Los Angeles politics as residents look to prioritize public safety in the face of escalating concerns over crime and homelessness.
For California’s progressives, the outcome in Los Angeles, following losses in other major cities, represents a significant setback. The results suggest that a shift in priorities is underway among California voters, with a preference for more moderate, crime-focused policies as opposed to the progressive reforms that have defined recent years.
