Soros-backed LA DA George Gascon loses re-election bid

"The voters of Los Angeles County have spoken and have said enough is enough of D.A. Gascón’s pro-criminal extreme policies; they look forward to a safer future,” Hochman said in a statement early Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. "As DA, I look forward to representing all of the people, whether they voted for me or not, since their safety will be my responsibility."

Gascon, who came into office in 2020, had survived two recall attempts after they failed to qualify for the ballot. On Tuesday, voters also approved a measure to partially roll back a ballot measure co-authored by Gascon in 2014 that reclassified some low-level drug and property crimes as misdemeanors. The Tuesday results make shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders and increase penalties for some drug charges.

During his time in office, Gascon barred his prosecutors from seeking the death penalty, ceased the prosecution of juveniles as adults, and ended cash bail for nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors.

Under Gascon’s term, property crimes, violent crimes, robberies, shoplifting, car theft, and burglaries all increased, California Department of Justice data showed. "This is evidence that the reality we are experiencing every day in L.A. County is not some illusion, that the escalating criminal activity we’ve been seeing, hearing, and feeling is supported by the numbers. We are all less safe with George Gascon as DA," Hockman said in a July press release.