The 11 candidates for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's chair include two sitting judges and one retired judge, a slew of Los Angeles district attorneys and prosecutors, one progressive prosecutor, and Nathan Hochman, a former U.S. District Attorney, U.S. Assistant Attorney General, and L.A. Ethics Commission President.
All are vying to unseat incumbent District Attorney George Gascón, but Hochman's candidacy is the one that stands out.
In 2022, Hochman ran as a Republican for California Attorney General, and received the endorsement of the co-founder of Death Row Records. While the election went to incumbent AG Rob Bonta, Hochman's impressive skill set and sterling record on both the defense and prosecution side of the ledger garnered him 40 percent of the vote, a significant showing for a Republican candidate in California.
In the LACDA's race, Hochman has chosen to run as an independent because a district attorney, he tells RedState, "should be neither Democrat nor Republican, but an independent voice for all the people of Los Angeles." Hochman also wants voters to know that he is not a politician. His rich background is one of actual service and tangible results.
WATCH:
READ: LEAKED DOCS: Details of Los Angeles DA's New Policies Are Even More Terrifying
Of that, there is no doubt, which is probably why, aside from an impressive campaign strategy and a hobbled incumbent, Hochman is the leading candidate to unseat Gascón. Gascón has absolutely no courtroom experience and has never prosecuted or defended a case. Yet, he was elected to run two district attorneys offices. Gascón left San Francisco worse than when he took the reins, and as LA County's DA, he is doing his level best to enact even worse damage. Hochman explains why Gascón's yawning lack of experience is at the root of his "leadership" style, and why getting back to a "hard middle" on how cases are prosecuted is essential.
WATCH:
Gascón's failed policies are glaringly evident in the unchecked crime sprees perpetrated by mostly young people. On January 3, a bakery in South Los Angeles was the most recent victim of mob chaos.
A mob of over 100 looters fresh off a street takeover smashed a Kia Soul through the door of a 48-year-old Compton bakery around 3 a.m. Tuesday and proceeded to rob just about anything they could get their hands on and vandalize the place.
Street takeovers have become a serious problem in recent years in Los Angeles County, which Compton is a part of. At least six people died during or near street takeovers in 2022.
The Kia had been involved in a pursuit earlier in the day.
The mob, which mostly seemed to consist of young people, showed zero concern for the owners of the bakery or the destruction of their livelihood as they wantonly lay waste to the establishment.
Juveniles with little fear of prosecution by Gascón’s office led another night of lawlessness and fear in LA County last night. Together with my partners in law enforcement, we will restore public safety in LA County. That starts by electing a DA who will actually enforce the… https://t.co/xBA20XIsSd
— Nathan Hochman (@NathanHochmanDA) January 12, 2024
READ: California Chaos: Mob Uses Kia to Smash Through Bakery Door, Steals Everything, Destroys the Place
Hochman spoke with the owner of the bakery, who was absolutely broken over his business being destroyed. Thanks to the Compton community mounting a crowdfunding campaign, Ruben's Bakery was able to reopen. But as long as Gascón's policies remain in place, small businesses like this will continue to suffer these types of crime sprees.
They estimate over 100 young people under the age of 18 ran into Ruben's Bakery and ransacked and looted. Why? Because they know that George Gascón has an absolute policy against prosecuting misdemeanor violations against juveniles. And if they steal less than $950, it's going to be a misdemeanor theft at that point. And even if it's charged (as a burglary it can be), if it's played down to a misdemeanor, he's not prosecuting the misdemeanors. So, again, what he has done is he's incentivized people, especially juveniles.
Some of the ugliest fallout from Gascón's soft-on-crime policies and a PR nightmare for him, was the case of James "Hannah" Tubbs. Hochman broke down the case and what Gascón did to not only circumvent the law, but to insulate himself from experiencing any further embarrassment from his policy failures.
WATCH:
READ:
Whether it is juveniles being prosecuted for violent crimes or property damage, Hochman concludes that, "we need to replace Gascón to avoid those policies causing this type of damage in the future."
If fundraising is any indication of electoral success and your message resonating with voters, then Hochman appears to be on a path to victory. Hochman closed out 2023 with more than $1.25 million in campaign contributions. More than any other DA candidate, including the incumbent.
In December, Hochman reserved over $1 million in television advertising, with more than six figures placed on every major network, adding significant messaging power to his campaign in the weeks leading to the March 5 primary election.
“Nathan’s fundraising success shows that his message is resonating with the public, which is fed up with Gascon’s pro-criminal blanket policies that have destroyed the morale of the D.A.’s Office, fractured the partnership with law enforcement, and endangered our public safety. That will change when Nathan Hochman is elected,” [former L.A. County District Attorney Steve] Cooley said.
But we also have a crop of younger Millennial and Gen Z voters whose voices will be heard in this election. In this "Discussions with My Daughter" video, Hochman not only brings family flavor to his campaign, but speaks to the generation who is getting a rude awakening about the results of so-called criminal justice reform and what its true effects have been in real time.
Discussions with My Daughter focuses on the why, how, and what of my campaign for LA County District Attorney. In this discussion: do you feel more safe today than you did three years ago when George Gascon got into office? For most, the answer is an unqualified "no."… pic.twitter.com/0vp1OXv6bU
— Nathan Hochman (@NathanHochmanDA) January 4, 2024
Hochman discussed how he plans to use some of that fundraising prowess to reach this demographic of voters, as well as encourage generally apathetic Angelenos to fill out their ballots and return them by March 5. If they haven't realized it yet, law, order, and safety are on the ballot like it's never been before. Vote accordingly.
WATCH:
To follow Nathan Hochman's campaign, visit his website at nathanhochman.com.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member