Who Will Lead LA County's Justice System? Gascon and Hochman Go Head-to-Head in Heated Debate

By Tim Haddock

The race for Los Angeles County District Attorney pits incumbent George Gascon against challenger
Nathan Hochman in one of the more contentious contests on the ballot. The two participated in a debate
hosted by KNX news radio and the Los Angeles Times ahead of the November election.

October 10, 2024 - George Gascón and challenger Nathan Hochman are running for Los Angeles County
District Attorney. Gascon is the incumbent and finishing his first term as district attorney. Hochman is a
former federal prosecutor, former U.S. Assistant Attorney General and the president of the L.A. Ethics
Commission.

 

Gascón was elected in 2020 and immediately implemented a series of progressive policies that include not prosecuting juveniles as adults, not seeking death penalty sentences and limiting sentences of those convicted of using guns or having ties to gangs. Hochman says Gascon’s policies are soft on crime and
are contributing to the rise in violent crime and thefts in LA County.

 

But crime data doesn’t support those claims.

According to the California Department of Justice, violent crime is up about 8 percent from 2019 to 2023
countywide, but in the city of Los Angeles, violent crime decreased by about 6 percent.

 

Captain Justin Diez of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, during a special meeting with the Santa
Clarita City Council Public Safety Committee at City Hall in September, said city crime is up 3 percent, but
county crime in the Santa Clarita Valley is down 3 percent.

 

``So, ultimately, if we add the city and the county for the entire Santa Clarita Valley, we’re up 43 crimes
over last year,” Diez told the committee. If the rates continue at their current pace, the numbers will be
about the same as they were last year, no more and no less, Diez told the committee.

 

Hochman said at the debate that the LA County’s DA Office used to be the gold standard on crime, but
that is no longer the case since Gascon took over.

Gascón countered saying the LA County DA’s Office gold standard was being the most carceral county in
the country, meaning the LA County DA’s Office was known for sentencing the most people to prison
than any other office in the nation.

 

Both candidates were asked about the rise in property crime and violence in the county. Gascon said his
office has been reviewing all the cases brought to his office and has a 90 percent filing rate related to
residential burglaries, emphasizing that suspects in such crimes are being held accountable.

Hochman said those committing property crimes and violent crimes need to be punished more severely
and wants federal assistance to prevent criminals from foreign countries from entering the United
States and Los Angeles County in particular.

 

There were two attempts to recall Gascon during his first term, both failed. He has also been accused of
retaliating against those in the DA’s office who oppose him. As many as 20 prosecutors in the DA’s office
have accused Gascon of workplace retaliation.

Gascon acknowledged there are people in his office who oppose him and his policies, but he said that a
majority support him.

 

In closing statements, Gascon touted his progressive values and policies adding that Hochman’s policies
would lead to mass incarceration, and not address rehabilitation and recovery.