Nathan Hochman, the man who defeated former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, will begin his term Tuesday with a lengthy to-do list after promising to restore balance to the criminal justice system.
Hochman is a former Republican who ran as an independent and centrist. He vowed to wipe away many of Gascón’s policies that he claims created a system that was way too lenient on violent and repeat offenders.
Hochman was able to connect with frustrated voters in deep-blue Los Angeles County with a campaign that offered a “hard middle” approach to fighting crime. He defeated Gascón by a nearly 20-point margin in November, outpacing the progressive incumbent by more than a half million votes.
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Hochman told LAist. “I’m taking over an office that has been considered one of the premiere D.A.’s offices in the nation.”
Gascón, known as the godfather of progressive prosecutors, swept into office in 2020 on promises of reform. He became a lightning rod for criticism both inside and outside of office, and criminals generally faced a less punitive justice system under his watch.
Hochman, a former federal prosecutor and defense attorney, was able to pin the blame for LA’s increases in crime and homelessness on Gascón’s failed policies.
