The Votes Are In!
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Politics Mar 06, 2024
George Gascón, left, and Nathan Hochman. | Photos courtesy of George Gascón/Facebook; Nathan Hochman for LA County District Attorney 2024
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Incumbent George Gascón is leading in the race for Los Angeles County District Attorney, as the top two vote getters will compete in a November runoff election.
Gascón faced a broad array of challengers. His current lead stands at 22.87% totaling 138,403 votes, with Nathan Hochman following with 18.11% and 109,602 votes and Jonathan Hatami in third place having secured 12.05% and 72,914 votes in Tuesday’s primary election.
The race has been cited as unusual due to 11 candidates vying for the position, some being subordinates of Gascón displeased with his policies implemented on Dec. 7, 2020.
Many rivals have criticized Gascón’s directives as lenient, deeming them “pro-criminal.” Hochman has been particularly vocal, attributing his $2 million in primary fundraising to a populace disillusioned with the status quo.
Hochman, a former California assistant attorney general, showed confidence as he looked toward the November elections, anticipating a potential victory as the county’s new district attorney.
“Tonight, three-quarters of Angelenos rejected George Gascón and said enough is enough of playing politics with our communities’ safety,” Hochman said in a statement. “The Golden Age of Criminals is coming to an end.”
No responses were available from Gascón’s campaign regarding the initial election results.
Hatami, who is a child crimes prosecutor within Gascón’s office, has consistently opposed Gascón’s protocols since their inception and launched his campaign in March 2023. Hatami also did not comment on the initial election results.
This report was based on 12% of the electoral votes having been counted, with no other DA candidate receiving more than 10% of the vote.
The runner-up list includes Debra Archuleta, a Superior Court judge with 9.41%; Maria Ramirez, an LA County prosecutor, with 7.54%; and Jeff Chemerinsky, a former federal prosecutor, receiving 7.51%.
LA County prosecutors Eric Sidall and John McKinney, along with the remaining candidates, received below the 10% threshold as the count continued.
Voting legislation mandates a simple majority of 50% plus one vote for victory in county elections. Should no one achieve this mark, a runoff will be set for Nov. 5. The LA County voting registrar confirmed March 29 as the certification deadline for the final results.
As reported by the Santa Clarita Valley Signal
