Hochman Jumps Out To A Commanding Early Lead Over Gascón In DA's Race

LOS ANGELES, CA — Former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman was cruising to victory Wednesday in his bid to unseat incumbent Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.

With ballot counting continuing Wednesday morning, Hochman had 61.3% of the vote, while Gascón had 38.7%.

It was perhaps the most closely watched race in Los Angeles County has been the battle for the largest district attorney's office in the nation. It’s also become the country's most scrutinized district attorney’s race.

Hochman, a former U.S. Assistant Attorney General, jumped out to an early and commanding lead.

“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 and they look forward to a safer future,” Hochman told the Los Angeles Times after the first results were announced. “We will go back to just two things: the facts and the law.”

Since he was elected in 2020, Gascón has been a lightning rod, instituting some of the most progressive reforms of any prosecutor's office nationwide.

Gascón has defended his record while in office, denying allegations that his policies have led to an increase in crime.

He faced , who said he was running a "hard center" campaign. Hochman pledged to emphasize justice for victims and to reverse Gascón’s policies, eschewing many sentencing enhancements, the death penalty, and charging juveniles as adults.

Hochman garnered statewide name recognition when he ran for California Attorney General as a Republican in 2022, giving Democrat Robert Bonta a competitive race in a state that hasn't elected a Republican in more than a decade.

The polls closed across Los Angeles and the state of California at 8 p.m., with the possible exception of Vote Centers that have lines. Anyone who is in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

The Registrar of Voters and Patch will update the results throughout the night as votes are tallied, and the page will be refreshed for the latest updates. Check back here after 8 p.m. for Real-Time Election Results.

Real-Time Race Results For Long Beach/ Los Angeles County: Nov. 5, 2024 General Election:

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Gascón, ran on his reform record, touting the dramatic increase in prosecutions of law enforcement officers accused of serious misconduct under his tenure and his efforts to reduce mass incarceration.

During a recent debate hosted by KNX News and the Los Angeles Times, Gascón highlighted his progressive policies -- several of which he implemented once he took office in 2020 -- such as limiting extra-long sentences for people accused of using a gun or being a gang member, prosecutions of juveniles as adults and no longer seeking the death penalty, though he later revised some of his policies.

But Hochman said such policies have led to an increase in crime across the county and said he would revoke several of Gascón's directives.

Hochman touted his "hard middle approach" to crime, stating that it will not lead to mass incarceration but rather cases would be reviewed individually and punishment is proportional for the crime committed.

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

"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 pushed back, saying the District Attorney's Office was previously known as the "most carceral county in the country." He said there were issues as well with the death penalty, sending juveniles to adult prisons and addressing police misconduct -- all things he has worked to undo.

Gascón insisted that his office has been holding criminal accountable for their crimes, including retail and residential theft.

"The reality is that the problem of policing certain crimes is not unique to our county," Gascón said during the debate. "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 90% filing rate related to residential burglaries, emphasizing that suspects in such crimes are being held accountable.

He also pointed to his tougher stance on prosecuting law enforcement officers accused of misconduct or excessive force. Gascón touted "moving the needle" in 125 cases that have led to some convictions.

Gascón commented that Hochman may not be capable of handling such cases, referencing his challengers' endorsements and campaign contributions from unions representing law enforcement officers.

Hochman noted he was a co-founder of the Los Angeles 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 insisted.

Hochman also pointed to high-profile robberies of homes, 7-Eleven stores, retail and other local businesses that he said have led to increased concerns from residents and business owners over public safety.

"We need to send a very strong message of enforcement, accountability and ultimately deterrent to those residential burglaries, and if they're coming, for instance, overseas from Chile or from Venezuela, we have to work with the federal government," Hochman said.

Gascón survived two attempts to recall him, and during his tenure has also been accused by 20 prosecutors of workplace retaliation.

Hochman said morale in the office is at a "all-time low," accusing Gascón of creating "a dysfunctional office."

During his campaign, Hochman has touted what he calls his "Blueprint for Justice" that he says would "restore safety and justice to our county."

As part of his blueprint, Hochman vows to "restore the purpose of the District Attorney's Office to fairly, effectively, and vigorously prosecute those who break laws in Los Angeles County based on the evidence and the law."

Hochman said he would also "restore the integrity and independence of the district attorney by not making decisions based on a party affiliation or political ideology but solely on the facts and the law."

Gascón, meanwhile, has said he intends to continue looking at the criminal justice system "not with a rear-view mirror but looking forward."

"When you listen to my opponent, you're listening to code talk for mass incarceration," Gascón said during the recent debate. "You're often listening to someone that believes -- from a very privileged point -- that he has the answer for the rest of our community, and is very willing to take us back to where we were before."

Both men emerged from the crowded field of 11 candidates in the March primary, with Gascón garnering about 25 percent of the vote to Hochman’s 16 percent.

However, Hochman surged ahead of Gascón with likely voters heading into election day, according to at USC, CSU Long Beach and Cal Poly Pomona survey. The poll had Hochman with a commanding 24-point lead over Gascón. About 44 percent of likely voters said they support Hochman, while only 20 percent said they support Gascón.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.