Los Angeles County District Attorney election, 2024 (March 5 nonpartisan primary)

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2024 Los Angeles County elections

Election dates
Filing deadline: December 8, 2023
Primary election: March 5, 2024
General election: November 5, 2024
Election stats
Offices up: District attorney
Election type: Nonpartisan
Other municipal elections
U.S. municipal elections, 2024

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Incumbent George Gascón and Nathan Hochman advanced from the nonpartisan primary for Los Angeles County District Attorney on March 5, 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. As of March 20, 2024, Gascón had 24.4% of the primary vote and Hochman had 16.4%. Click here for more on the general election.

Five candidates led in endorsements and local media attention: incumbent George Gascón, Jeff Chemerinsky, Jonathan Hatami, Nathan Hochman, and Eric Siddall.

According to LAist, the election was "expected to be closely watched across the country as a barometer of how the public is feeling about criminal justice reforms amid an increase in property crime. Property crime is up 17.4% in the city of L.A. so far this year compared to two years ago...Violent crime is down 1.3% year to date from two years ago."[1]

Gascón was elected in 2020 on a platform of not seeking the death penalty, limiting the imposition of cash bail for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies, and "stopping the practice of imposing excessive sentences".[2][3] Gascón said his policies had made county residents safer and he would keep them in place if re-elected: "The reality is that having thoughtful policies that hold people accountable, as we have, sending people to prison when they need to be locked up, but recognizing that prison cannot be the only one answer is what public safety is all about."[4] Before his election as Los Angeles County District Attorney, Gascón served eight years as San Francisco District Attorney. He earlier served as chief of police in San Francisco and in Mesa, Arizona.[5]

Chemerinsky was a former federal prosecutor, serving for nine years in the Central District of California before resigning to run for district attorney.[6] Like Gascón, Chemerinsky said he opposed the death penalty and supported "criminal justice reform, because mass incarceration simply does not work". Chemerinsky said he would prioritize public safety more than Gascón. Chemerinsky criticized Gascón for Gascón's opposition to sentencing enhancements—laws that increase the potential sentence allowed for a crime based on specific aggravating factors—in crimes involving firearms. Chemerinsky said his experience would help him make structural changes to the office.[7]

Hatami had been, at the time of the election, a deputy district attorney since 2006. Hatami said he was the first prosecutor to publicly speak out against Gascón after Hatami was ordered to strike information Hatami had included in Hatami's prosecution of a murder case.[8] Hatami said he was a compassionate prosecutor, supporting rehabilitation rather than punishing criminals, but only when balanced with public safety. Hatami said his background as a survivor of child abuse and the son of an immigrant motivated him to prioritize access to justice for all county residents.[9]

Hochman was, at the time of the election, a defense attorney and former federal prosecutor.[10] Hochman said Gascón had put his policies ahead of public safety and that Hochman would prioritize public safety and victims' rights over reducing the length of sentences.[11][12] Hochman said his public and private legal experience would help him change the direction of the district attorney's office.[10]

Siddall was, at the time of the election, a deputy district attorney assigned to prosecuting violent crimes. In his former role as vice president of the county prosecutors' union, Siddall said he successfully sued Gascón over Gascón's prohibition on sentencing enhancements, allowing prosecutors to again seek higher sentences in crimes with specific aggravating factors. Siddall supported encouraging rehabilitation of criminals and measures to promote public safety.[13] Siddall said he would prioritize hiring 300 new prosecutors to clear the backlog of cases and reduce the crime rate.[14]

Although the election was nonpartisan, Gascón, Chemerinsky, Hatami, and Siddall are registered Democrats and Hochman is an independent.[15][16][17][18]

If one candidate had received more than 50% of the vote, that candidate would have won the election outright. Local political observers said Gascón's chances of winning a general election depended on which other candidate advanced alongside him. According to CalMatters, "Gascón’s best chance for survival probably rests on one of his more conservative challengers, Jonathan Hatami or Nathan Hochman, making it to the runoff...If either Siddall or Chemerinsky made the runoff against Gascón, the contender would have ample room to find votes in the center, leaving Gascón with little space to expand his narrow base."[19]

Also running in the primary were Debra Archuleta, Daniel Kapelovitz, Lloyd Masson, John McKinney, David Sherman Milton, Craig Mitchell, and Maria Ramirez.

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan), Jeff Chemerinsky (Nonpartisan), Jonathan Hatami (Nonpartisan), Nathan Hochman (Nonpartisan), Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan), John McKinney (Nonpartisan), Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan), and Eric Siddall (Nonpartisan) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.

Los Angeles County also held nonpartisan elections for board of supervisors, community college districts, water districts, and superior court judges in 2024. Click here for an overview of those elections and here for more on the general election for district attorney.

## Contents

* 1 Candidates and election results
* 2 Voting information
* 3 Candidate comparison
* 3.1 Candidate profiles
* 3.2 Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
* 3.3 Campaign advertisements
* 3.3.1 George Gascón
* 3.3.2 Jeff Chemerinsky
* 3.3.3 Jonathan Hatami
* 3.3.4 Nathan Hochman
* 3.3.5 Eric Siddall
* 4 Endorsements
* 5 Election competitiveness
* 5.1 Polls
* 6 Election spending
* 6.1 Campaign finance
* 6.2 Satellite spending
* 7 Election context
* 7.1 Ballot access requirements
* 7.2 Los Angeles County district attorney election history
* 7.2.1 2020
* 7.2.2 2016
* 7.2.3 2012
* 8 2024 battleground elections
* 9 See also
* 10 External links
* 11 Footnotes

## Candidates and election results[edit]

#### Nonpartisan primary election

##### Nonpartisan primary for Los Angeles County District Attorney

The following candidates ran in the primary for Los Angeles County District Attorney on March 5, 2024.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| George Gascón (Nonpartisan) |

25.2

| 370,654

| Nathan Hochman (Nonpartisan) |

15.9

| 234,509

| Jonathan Hatami (Nonpartisan) |

13.2

| 194,755

| Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan) |

8.5

| 125,306

| Jeff Chemerinsky (Nonpartisan) |

7.9

| 116,064

Submit photo

| Maria Ramirez (Nonpartisan) |

7.1

| 105,088

| John McKinney (Nonpartisan) |

6.0

| 87,903

| Eric Siddall (Nonpartisan) |

5.6

| 82,993

| David Sherman Milton (Nonpartisan) |

4.3

| 63,044

Submit photo

| Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan) |

3.0

| 44,326

| Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan) |

2.0

| 29,306

| Daniel Kapelovitz (Nonpartisan) |

1.2

| 17,622

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 1,471,570

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

## Voting information[edit]

See also: Voting in California

What was the voter registration deadline?

* In-person: March 5, 2024.[20]
* By mail: Postmarked by February 19, 2024.
* Online: February 19, 2024.

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline? California law provides for automatic, universal voting by mail. Local election officials automatically deliver mail-in ballots to all registered voters without the need for a request. Voters are permitted to cast votes in person.

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

* In-person: 8:00PM Pacific Time on March 5, 2024.
* By mail: Postmarked by March 5, 2024, and received by March 12, 2024.

Was early voting available to all voters? Yes.

What were the early voting start and end dates? Early voting was available at the county election office headquarters in Norwalk starting on February 5, 2024, and running through Election Day on March 5, 2024.[21]

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required? Under California law, voters may be asked to show identification when voting if they are voting for the first time after registering to vote by mail and did not provide a driver license number, California identification number, or the last four digits of their social security number when registering. The list of acceptable forms of identification includes both photo and non-photo IDs.

When were polls open on Election Day? Polls opened at 7:00AM Pacific Time on Election Day and closed at 8:00PM Pacific Time.

## Candidate comparison[edit]

### Candidate profiles[edit]

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

George Gascón

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office:

* Los Angeles County District Attorney (Assumed office: 2020)
* San Francisco District Attorney (2011-2019)

Biography: Gascón graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a bachelor's degree in history and obtained his law degree from Western State University College of Law. After serving in the U.S. Army, Gascón joined the Los Angeles Police Department as a patrol officer, eventually becoming assistant chief of police. Gascón left the department to become the chief of police in Mesa, Arizona, in 2006. In 2009, then-Mayor Gavin Newsom (D) appointed Gascón chief of police in San Francisco.

* * *

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

* * *

Gascón said he would reduce crime rates while also working to hold members of law enforcement who broke the law accountable for their actions. Gascón said he had reduced violent crime rates while also reducing racial disparities in sentencing and making less use of prison time in every leadership position he had held.

* * *

Gascón said he was part of a larger reform movement built on shared values including opposition to the death penalty, prohibiting the prosecution of minors as adults, and ensuring accountability when corporations or members of law enforcement break the law.

* * *

Gascón said his policies during his first term had promoted public safety: "The reality is that having thoughtful policies that hold people accountable, as we have, sending people to prison when they need to be locked up, but recognizing that prison cannot be the only one answer is what public safety is all about."

* * *

Show sources

Sources: George Gascón campaign website, "Home page," accessed January 11, 2024, George Gascón campaign website, "District Attorney George Gascón Kicks Off 2024 Reelection Campaign," November 21, 2023, ABC 7, "LA County race for district attorney: Gascón faces off with candidates in Democratic debate," November 16, 2023; George Gascón campaign website, "Meet George," accessed January 11, 2024

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Los Angeles County District Attorney in 2024.

Debra Archuleta

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "I am a wife, mother, domestic violence survivor, former Deputy District Attorney for 26 years, and elected Superior Court Judge for the past 7 years. "

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

Public safety is the number one priority of the District Attorney. I will be seeking tougher sentences on individuals who commit serious and violent crimes. I will impose bail as well as appropriate enhancements for weapons and hate crimes on an individualized basis to more effectively deter repeat offenders from harming communities across Los Angeles County. We are not safer now than we were 3 years ago when the current DA took office, which is why I have decided to run to replace him.

* * *

Under my administration, victims will receive their day in court in a fair and timely manner. I will seek to restore critical law enforcement partnerships so that these agencies will respond to calls and present cases to the DA's Office for filing consideration. I will restore the Office's headcount to clear the backlog of 14,000 cases that currently leaves both victims and defendants in limbo. DAs will once again be allowed to advocate on behalf of victims including, but not limited to, appearing at parole board hearings, if necessary. I will work to eliminate blanket policies because the current "one-size-fits-all" approach to criminal justice does not work.

* * *

It is inhumane to allow people to live under tarps and tents on the streets of LA County, particularly when many homeless Angelenos are women and children. As DA, I pledge to meaningfully address crime committed both by and against people living on the streets. “Justice for all” means swiftly intervening when violent criminals commit armed assault, human trafficking, sex crimes, and more within homeless encampments, just as the DA would for crimes committed in wealthy neighborhoods. Further, I will advocate for mandatory drug treatment programs when appropriate, and I will prosecute drug dealers. I will also advocate for treatment that better serves the needs of mentally ill defendants, including alternatives such as CARE Court.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Los Angeles County District Attorney in 2024.

Jeff Chemerinsky

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "An experienced United States Attorney, I'm running for District Attorney to make our communities safer, reform our criminal justice system, and bring new leadership to the D.A.’s office. I served as Chief of the Violent and Organized Crime section of the United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. I have never lost a case, and personally prosecuted cases involving murder, sex trafficking, firearms trafficking, corruption, and sex assault offenses. I won convictions of more than 30 members of the MS-13 gang, including the leader of MS-13 in Los Angeles, and the leader of the East Coast Crips. I also led federal robbery prosecutions for the office, partnering with local law enforcement agencies to win convictions in many major organized retail theft cases. As part of my commitment to upholding justice, I strongly believe in criminal justice reform because mass incarceration does not work. In addition to his trial experience, I bring significant management experience overseeing a large team of attorneys and staff for the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, which is the largest federal judicial district in the nation, serving 19 million people living in Los Angeles and six other Southern California counties. I have received numerous awards for my service, including the U.S. Department of Justice's Director's Award – the DOJ’s second highest honor. I'm from LA and my wife Kim and I are fortunate to raise our three kids here."

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

My top priority is keeping our communities safe, and to prosecute serious crimes to increase public safety and accountability, including: \- Prioritize the prosecution of gun crimes and firearm trafficking to keep our neighborhoods safe. \- Use the role of District Attorney to promote strong and sensible gun policies nationwide. \- Prosecute "smash and grab" robberies to protect the public, workers, and businesses. \- Ensure zero tolerance for public corruption. \- Enhance the office’s civil rights prosecutions. Ensure constitutional treatment of those who have law enforcement encounters, and of those who exercise the right to protest.

* * *

I will also prioritize criminal justice reform, because mass incarceration does not work. That includes: \- Promoting alternative sentencing options, when appropriate, including restorative justice courts and diversion programs. \- Increasing education and rehabilitative programs in the jails to provide an off ramp away from the criminal justice system to those who want and need it. \- Advancing policing reforms and ensure law enforcement is held accountable when there is misconduct. \- Promoting community safety partnerships between law enforcement and neighborhood leaders and institutions. \- Bringing together stakeholders in the criminal justice system to find common ground to address the biggest challenges we face, including mental health.

* * *

I elected, I will bring new leadership to the DA's office, by: \- ending the infighting and dysfunction in the DA’s office, by providing new leadership, and advance guidelines, policies and initiatives in a collaborative way with the office’s talented and experienced prosecutors and staff. \- improving hiring and retention to fill the hundreds of vacancies of prosecutors and improve office morale. Ensure the DA’s office and its leadership reflects the diversity of LA County. \- Promoting cooperation between federal and local law enforcement in the county, and among all local prosecuting offices in the county, including the U.S. Attorney’s office and the LA City Attorney’s office, in order to ensure fair prosecutions and efficiency.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Los Angeles County District Attorney in 2024.

Jonathan Hatami

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "I spent almost my entire adult life serving the public, first in the US Army and now a prosecutor in the LA County DA's office for the past 17 1/2 years. I’m currently assigned to the Complex Child Abuse unit, and every day I fight for justice for abused, neglected and murdered children. I graduated from high school and then enlisted in the US Army, serving 7 years active duty first in the Infantry (11B) and eventually achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Military Police Corp (95B). During my time in the military, I personally led and supervised numerous soldiers as a squad leader, platoon sergeant, and MP staff sergeant. I was raised poor, by a single working mom, and after being honorably discharged, I returned to LA and paid my own way through junior college, state university and law school using the GI Bill, Pell grants and financial aid. I have handled thousands of child physical and sexual abuse cases, domestic violence, hate crimes, elder abuse, sex-trafficking, torture and complex homicides. In 2016, I was named prosecutor of the year by the Antelope Valley Bar Association. In 2019, I was named prosecutor of the year by the Los Angeles County Bar Association. I have prosecuted over 80 jury trials including the 4-month trial of the torture and murder of Gabriel Fernandez which became a 6-part Netflix documentary “The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez” released in 2020. In 2023, I successfully prosecuted the murderers of 10-year-old Anthony Avalos. "

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

Public Safety: I will be a DA who prioritizes public safety, prosecutes violent crime, but also has a heart for our community. I will protect children, families and vulnerable victims; provide equal justice for all; follow and enforce the law; fairly charge allegations, special circumstances, and enhancements which we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt; case-by-case thorough and fair analysis of criminal cases instead of blanket policies or a one size fits all approach; prosecute fentanyl dealers, gun violence, organized retail theft and street takeovers; non-violent mental health, addiction, homeless and veteran’s issues will be towards rehabilitation first by supporting veteran’s court, collaborative courts, diversion and care courts.

* * *

2\. Transparency, Accountability and Real Reforms. A truly transparent DA’s office that holds wrongdoers accountable for their crime, but also works for the community, holds politicians and law enforcement equally accountable if they commit crimes, prioritizes public safety, prosecutes violent crime, collaborates with law enforcement and includes them on our justice team, and also institutes and promotes rehabilitation and reforms for our mental health community, drug & alcohol disease community, homeless & veteran’s community and the juvenile justice system.

* * *

Support Victims and Survivors and Ensure professional opportunity and a stable and caring workplace for all employees of LADA by: • Hiring more Prosecutors, DA Investigators and Support staff • Promoting more Prosecutors, DA Investigators and Support Staff • Obtaining more employee parking, better working conditions, and work-from home accommodations, • Hiring a more diverse workforce • Hiring more victim advocates and supporting victims of crime and Marsy’s Law by fully attending parole hearings • Creating more programs for mental health issues, drug and alcohol disease issues, juvenile justice, diversion, homeless and veterans.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Los Angeles County District Attorney in 2024.

Nathan Hochman

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "I am a lifelong Angelino, who was born, grew up, educated, married, and raised 3 children– all in Los Angeles County. I have chosen to stay and fight for the LA County community I love. Our current DA has instituted policies and taken actions that have made us less safe, destroyed morale in the DA’s office, endangered the DA’s partnership with law enforcement, and damaged the DA’s Office’s credibility with victims and the public. I am running to remove politics from prosecutorial decisions and restore independence, honesty, and integrity to the DA’s Office to prevent crime, protect public safety, and ensure justice is served to all LA County residents. Unlike the current DA who has never prosecuted or defended a single criminal case in his entire life, I have prosecuted over 100 cases as a federal prosecutor. I have also defended over 200 criminal cases. In addition, I was presidentially nominated, unanimously Senate confirmed as the U.S. Assistant Attorney General running the U.S. Dept. of Justice’s Tax Division; served as the President of the L.A. City Ethics Commission; led two major international law firms’ government investigations practices; and co-founded the L.A. Sheriff’s Foundation. With over 34 years’ criminal justice experience on all sides of the aisle and proven leadership experience with government, private practice, and community organizations, I can restore public safety, the partnership with law enforcement, and the DA’s Office’s reputation from Day One."

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

Crime & Public Safety: Under DA Gascón, Los Angeles County has become a haven for criminals. When the DA won’t do his job, criminals take note, and the law-abiding citizens, typically those in more vulnerable and minority communities, suffer the most. I want to restore accountability, justice, safety, and security in LA County, and restore the people’s trust in the DA’s office to get the job done. I will reverse Gascon’s pro-criminal blanket policies with the “hard middle” approach. This approach focuses on individualized analyses of cases to determine appropriate action, given the evidence and law. I would also reverse policies prohibiting prosecutors from accompanying victims at parole hearings.

* * *

Fentanyl: Fentanyl, a drug 50 times stronger than heroin, is responsible for over half of drug overdose deaths in LA County and is murdering hundreds of children a year. It kills indiscriminately across political, geographic, racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic lines. Gascón has failed to treat fentanyl poisoners, including serial offenders, as murderers or even adopt the “Alexandra warning” to be given to convicted fentanyl dealers that if they do the crime again and someone dies, they may be charged with murder. On Day One, I will launch a massive local-state-federal task force to combat fentanyl poisoners and simultaneously launch a huge educational effort targeted to children and their parents on the perils of fentanyl.

* * *

Homelessness: The homelessness crisis is one of the most visible failures of leadership. The DA’s Office needs to change the trajectory of addressing LA’s homeless challenges by partnering with law enforcement, municipal agencies, the CARE courts, non-profit organizations, as well as local stakeholders and community leaders, to work on effective programs to help break the spiraling downward cycle of the homeless, over 70% of whom suffer from serious mental illness, substance abuse disorder, or both.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Los Angeles County District Attorney in 2024.

Lloyd Masson

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "I’m the lead prosecutor of a county wide cold case unit from the biggest county in the US. "

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

Drop the hammer on all property crimes including robbery and burglary.

* * *

Make LA County residents feel safe again in LA.

* * *

Get LA safe and clean for the 2028 Olympics.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Los Angeles County District Attorney in 2024.

John McKinney

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "I grew up in Passaic, New Jersey, a high-crime, working-class city. By the time I was five years old, my parents had passed away, and I was raised by my older sister, who had three children of her own. As a teenager, I lived through the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s and saw many friends die from drug use or went to jail for selling. I credit the values and discipline instilled in me by my sister for enabling me to avoid falling victim to the easy money from drug dealing, and instead, I enrolled in college. But, after only one year, I dropped out and entered the working world, doing everything from fast-food prep to hammering steel into truck springs as a blacksmith. Eventually, I realized that the road to his success would be through education. I graduated from Rutgers University and ultimately from UCLA Law School, which landed me in Los Angeles. In 1998, I was hired by the LA County DA’s Office. I was eventually assigned to the elite Major Crimes Unit, where I served for 10 years, handling jury trials involving a broad array of violent crimes, including child and adult sex crimes, child and elder abuse, and gang murders - many with national media attention. In all, I have tried nearly 40 murder cases. “I gave a small piece of myself to each one. Every killer I prosecuted was convicted. Every victim’s humanity was affirmed in the courtroom.”"

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

Secure LA's Future: Restore Public Safety

* * *

Prioritize Victims' Rights

* * *

Ensure Accountability and Promote Proportional Justice

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Los Angeles County District Attorney in 2024.

Craig Mitchell

Do you have a photo that could go here? Click here to submit it for this profile!

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "I have served as a criminal court judge for almost 20 years. Prior to becoming a judge I was a Los Angeles County prosecutor for 11 years. Prior to entering the law, I was a high school teacher in South Los Angeles for 17 years. 13 years ago I founded the Skid Row Running Club, a program that provides a supportive community for people experiencing homelessness and addiction. This life experience has given me a grass-roots understanding of the wonderful diversity of Los Angeles, what enables a person to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential, and what measures are needed to ensure public safety."

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

Public safety is my highest priority. Dangerous and violent perpetrators of crime must be removed from the community. Criminals whose criminality is rooted in addiction and mental illness, provided the community is not endangered, must receive effective treatment.

* * *

Sanctions for criminal conduct must be imposed after a careful review of the facts that gave rise to a case, the characteristics of the perpetrator, and the impact the crime had upon the victim. No two crimes are identical. No two perpetrators are identical. Repeat offenders obviously need to be treated differently than those with no criminal history.

* * *

Addiction and mental illness must be addressed. These conditions are at the root of most5 property crimes and many crimes of violence. These conditions also account for the high recidivism rates that exist. I will work tirelessly to ensure that effective programs and monitoring take place to break the cycle of criminality.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Los Angeles County District Attorney in 2024.

Eric Siddall

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "As a violent crime prosecutor, I took down violent street gangs, got guns off our streets, and put cop killers, sexual predators, and other dangerous criminals behind bars. Now, I am running for L.A. County District Attorney to reform the D.A.’s office and lead a new generation of prosecutors. As a career prosecutor, I know what it takes to put dangerous and violent criminals behind bars and keep our neighborhoods safe. Partnering with both state and federal law enforcement, we disrupted violent crime and took down violent street gangs that committed dozens of murders, including MS-13. In my current assignment, prosecuting crimes against police officers, I convicted gang members of attempted murders against law enforcement and successfully prosecuted a cop killer. As a leader of the union representing line prosecutors in the DA's Office, I have been at the forefront of improving public safety, while simultaneously advocating for sustainable, responsible reforms. My approach is rooted in empowering frontline prosecutors, prioritizing public safety, and fostering a collaborative environment with local community groups and law enforcement. I have the institutional knowledge to reform the district attorney’s office while keeping the public safe. I have collaborated with every major federal and state law enforcement agency and have served on the board of Justice For Murdered Children and as the former VP of the Latino Prosecutors Association."

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

The current district attorney has lost the public’s trust and support. From day one, I will work to earn it back. That begins with public safety. I will implement an actionable violence reduction strategy focused on evidence-based practices. I will build a division within the Bureau of Investigation, the D.A.'s law enforcement arm, to act as clearinghouse to collect and analyze information and coordinate resources to prosecute the drivers of crime. This strategy recognizes that a small fraction of criminals cause a disproportionate percentage of violent crime. By concentrating resources on those individuals, we can drastically reduce violence while minimizing negative community impacts associated with increased incarceration.

* * *

We will expand the homeless court model developed by Redondo Beach City Attorney Mike Webb. This model provides a path to ensure that the unhoused receive the necessary resources from the most basic, like identification cards so that they can apply for services, to tacking more complex problems like mental health and drug rehabilitation, and providing supportive housing. The final goal is permanent housing. While this will not eliminate our homelessness crisis, this model is a manner in which the DA's office can proactively engage in a productive way.

* * *

If we want to effectively deal with the mentally ill who are violent, we need to build a mental health infrastructure. For more than a decade, a plan to build critical and safe treatment facilities has gone nowhere because no one has shown the political courage to move it forward. As a result, Los Angeles County does not have the infrastructure to humanely treat the mentally ill. I will make this a priority and lead the charge to build a new County facility 3500-bed facility to house and treat violent individuals with mental health conditions, instead of relying on jails or releasing them back into the community.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Los Angeles County District Attorney in 2024.

### Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses[edit]

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

Public safety is the number one priority of the District Attorney. I will be seeking tougher sentences on individuals who commit serious and violent crimes. I will impose bail as well as appropriate enhancements for weapons and hate crimes on an individualized basis to more effectively deter repeat offenders from harming communities across Los Angeles County. We are not safer now than we were 3 years ago when the current DA took office, which is why I have decided to run to replace him.

Under my administration, victims will receive their day in court in a fair and timely manner. I will seek to restore critical law enforcement partnerships so that these agencies will respond to calls and present cases to the DA's Office for filing consideration. I will restore the Office's headcount to clear the backlog of 14,000 cases that currently leaves both victims and defendants in limbo. DAs will once again be allowed to advocate on behalf of victims including, but not limited to, appearing at parole board hearings, if necessary. I will work to eliminate blanket policies because the current "one-size-fits-all" approach to criminal justice does not work.

It is inhumane to allow people to live under tarps and tents on the streets of LA County, particularly when many homeless Angelenos are women and children. As DA, I pledge to meaningfully address crime committed both by and against people living on the streets. “Justice for all” means swiftly intervening when violent criminals commit armed assault, human trafficking, sex crimes, and more within homeless encampments, just as the DA would for crimes committed in wealthy neighborhoods. Further, I will advocate for mandatory drug treatment programs when appropriate, and I will prosecute drug dealers. I will also advocate for treatment that better serves the needs of mentally ill defendants, including alternatives such as CARE Court.

Jeff Chemerinsky (Nonpartisan)

My top priority is keeping our communities safe, and to prosecute serious crimes to increase public safety and accountability, including:

\- Prioritize the prosecution of gun crimes and firearm trafficking to keep our neighborhoods safe. \- Use the role of District Attorney to promote strong and sensible gun policies nationwide. \- Prosecute "smash and grab" robberies to protect the public, workers, and businesses. \- Ensure zero tolerance for public corruption. \- Enhance the office’s civil rights prosecutions. Ensure constitutional treatment of those who have law enforcement encounters, and of those who exercise the right to protest.

I will also prioritize criminal justice reform, because mass incarceration does not work. That includes: \- Promoting alternative sentencing options, when appropriate, including restorative justice courts and diversion programs. \- Increasing education and rehabilitative programs in the jails to provide an off ramp away from the criminal justice system to those who want and need it. \- Advancing policing reforms and ensure law enforcement is held accountable when there is misconduct. \- Promoting community safety partnerships between law enforcement and neighborhood leaders and institutions. \- Bringing together stakeholders in the criminal justice system to find common ground to address the biggest challenges we face, including mental health.

I elected, I will bring new leadership to the DA's office, by: \- ending the infighting and dysfunction in the DA’s office, by providing new leadership, and advance guidelines, policies and initiatives in a collaborative way with the office’s talented and experienced prosecutors and staff. \- improving hiring and retention to fill the hundreds of vacancies of prosecutors and improve office morale. Ensure the DA’s office and its leadership reflects the diversity of LA County.

\- Promoting cooperation between federal and local law enforcement in the county, and among all local prosecuting offices in the county, including the U.S. Attorney’s office and the LA City Attorney’s office, in order to ensure fair prosecutions and efficiency.

Jonathan Hatami (Nonpartisan)

Public Safety:

I will be a DA who prioritizes public safety, prosecutes violent crime, but also has a heart for our community. I will protect children, families and vulnerable victims; provide equal justice for all; follow and enforce the law; fairly charge allegations, special circumstances, and enhancements which we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt; case-by-case thorough and fair analysis of criminal cases instead of blanket policies or a one size fits all approach; prosecute fentanyl dealers, gun violence, organized retail theft and street takeovers; non-violent mental health, addiction, homeless and veteran’s issues will be towards rehabilitation first by supporting veteran’s court, collaborative courts, diversion and care courts.

2\. Transparency, Accountability and Real Reforms.

A truly transparent DA’s office that holds wrongdoers accountable for their crime, but also works for the community, holds politicians and law enforcement equally accountable if they commit crimes, prioritizes public safety, prosecutes violent crime, collaborates with law enforcement and includes them on our justice team, and also institutes and promotes rehabilitation and reforms for our mental health community, drug & alcohol disease community, homeless & veteran’s community and the juvenile justice system.

Support Victims and Survivors and Ensure professional opportunity and a stable and caring workplace for all employees of LADA by:

• Hiring more Prosecutors, DA Investigators and Support staff • Promoting more Prosecutors, DA Investigators and Support Staff • Obtaining more employee parking, better working conditions, and work-from home accommodations, • Hiring a more diverse workforce • Hiring more victim advocates and supporting victims of crime and Marsy’s Law by fully attending parole hearings • Creating more programs for mental health issues, drug and alcohol disease issues, juvenile justice, diversion, homeless and veterans.

Nathan Hochman (Nonpartisan)

Crime & Public Safety: Under DA Gascón, Los Angeles County has become a haven for criminals. When the DA won’t do his job, criminals take note, and the law-abiding citizens, typically those in more vulnerable and minority communities, suffer the most. I want to restore accountability, justice, safety, and security in LA County, and restore the people’s trust in the DA’s office to get the job done. I will reverse Gascon’s pro-criminal blanket policies with the “hard middle” approach. This approach focuses on individualized analyses of cases to determine appropriate action, given the evidence and law. I would also reverse policies prohibiting prosecutors from accompanying victims at parole hearings.

Fentanyl: Fentanyl, a drug 50 times stronger than heroin, is responsible for over half of drug overdose deaths in LA County and is murdering hundreds of children a year. It kills indiscriminately across political, geographic, racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic lines. Gascón has failed to treat fentanyl poisoners, including serial offenders, as murderers or even adopt the “Alexandra warning” to be given to convicted fentanyl dealers that if they do the crime again and someone dies, they may be charged with murder. On Day One, I will launch a massive local-state-federal task force to combat fentanyl poisoners and simultaneously launch a huge educational effort targeted to children and their parents on the perils of fentanyl.

Homelessness: The homelessness crisis is one of the most visible failures of leadership. The DA’s Office needs to change the trajectory of addressing LA’s homeless challenges by partnering with law enforcement, municipal agencies, the CARE courts, non-profit organizations, as well as local stakeholders and community leaders, to work on effective programs to help break the spiraling downward cycle of the homeless, over 70% of whom suffer from serious mental illness, substance abuse disorder, or both.

Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan)

Drop the hammer on all property crimes including robbery and burglary.

Make LA County residents feel safe again in LA.

Get LA safe and clean for the 2028 Olympics.

John McKinney (Nonpartisan)

Secure LA's Future: Restore Public Safety

Prioritize Victims' Rights

Ensure Accountability and Promote Proportional Justice

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

Public safety is my highest priority. Dangerous and violent perpetrators of crime must be removed from the community. Criminals whose criminality is rooted in addiction and mental illness, provided the community is not endangered, must receive effective treatment.

Sanctions for criminal conduct must be imposed after a careful review of the facts that gave rise to a case, the characteristics of the perpetrator, and the impact the crime had upon the victim. No two crimes are identical. No two perpetrators are identical. Repeat offenders obviously need to be treated differently than those with no criminal history.

Addiction and mental illness must be addressed. These conditions are at the root of most5 property crimes and many crimes of violence. These conditions also account for the high recidivism rates that exist. I will work tirelessly to ensure that effective programs and monitoring take place to break the cycle of criminality.

Eric Siddall (Nonpartisan)

The current district attorney has lost the public’s trust and support. From day one, I will work to earn it back. That begins with public safety. I will implement an actionable violence reduction strategy focused on evidence-based practices. I will build a division within the Bureau of Investigation, the D.A.'s law enforcement arm, to act as clearinghouse to collect and analyze information and coordinate resources to prosecute the drivers of crime. This strategy recognizes that a small fraction of criminals cause a disproportionate percentage of violent crime. By concentrating resources on those individuals, we can drastically reduce violence while minimizing negative community impacts associated with increased incarceration.

We will expand the homeless court model developed by Redondo Beach City Attorney Mike Webb. This model provides a path to ensure that the unhoused receive the necessary resources from the most basic, like identification cards so that they can apply for services, to tacking more complex problems like mental health and drug rehabilitation, and providing supportive housing. The final goal is permanent housing. While this will not eliminate our homelessness crisis, this model is a manner in which the DA's office can proactively engage in a productive way.

If we want to effectively deal with the mentally ill who are violent, we need to build a mental health infrastructure. For more than a decade, a plan to build critical and safe treatment facilities has gone nowhere because no one has shown the political courage to move it forward. As a result, Los Angeles County does not have the infrastructure to humanely treat the mentally ill. I will make this a priority and lead the charge to build a new County facility 3500-bed facility to house and treat violent individuals with mental health conditions, instead of relying on jails or releasing them back into the community.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

I am most passionate about achieving a safe, healthy LA County in which our families all have the opportunity to live freely and without navigating crime and homelessness on a daily basis. Criminal justice, education, healthcare, commerce, and housing are just a few of the public policy areas that intertwine to present LA County's most serious challenges. Responsibility for the community does not rest solely with the District Attorney's Office, but instead with all of us including government officials, business owners, faith leaders, community activists, and Angelenos across the county.

Jeff Chemerinsky (Nonpartisan)

Public safety and the penal code, criminal justice reform, protecting civil rights, environmental laws and regulation.

Jonathan Hatami (Nonpartisan)

The protection of children, improving the foster care system and victim advocacy.

I have fought to protect children by drafting, proposing and testifying on behalf of legislation which provided restitution for counseling, mental health services and noneconomic damages for child victims of sexual abuse. A bill based on my proposal became law in California in 2018.

I have also been a victim and survivor of crime. I was the victim of child abuse and a parental kidnapping. I know what it feels like to be victimized and powerless. I am now a survivor. That is why I am supported by thousands of victims, survivors and surviving families. I will fight for them and make sure everyone in Los Angeles receives equal justice under the law.

Nathan Hochman (Nonpartisan)

I’m passionate about any policy that supports and strengthens the safety of Los Angeles County residents. I have spent over 34 years in the criminal justice system as a prosecutor and defense attorney because I believe that that system works best when each side is zealously and capably arguing for its position, leaving the facts to be determined by a jury or judge. I am a passionate believer in substantive and procedural justice, which has been missing under DA Gascon because when the DA brings a political, pro-criminal agenda to the role of prosecutor, the system fails to ensure fairness for all parties, particularly the victims and the public. As District Attorney, I will ensure that substantive and procedural justice are achieved.

Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan)

Order

John McKinney (Nonpartisan)

Public safety, supporting victims of crime, and proportional justice.

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

I am passionate about all aspects of criminal justice reform. We need to do a far better job in ensuring that young people are equipped to realize their full potential so that criminal behavior never becomes an option. We need to ensure that criminals be appropriately and fairly punished for their crimes. We must completely overhaul our prison system so that the incarcerated obtain the insight, skills and education necessary to redefine themselves and be able to lead meaningful, constructive lives upon their return to the community.

Eric Siddall (Nonpartisan)

I am passionate about our criminal justice system. For the last thirty years, California’s criminal justice system has veered from one policy extreme to the other. I’m running for District Attorney to put an end to these increasingly extreme, partisan swings of the criminal justice policy pendulum. Our future doesn’t have to look like our past. There is a better way – a third way – forward, one that applies a laser-like focus on what matters most: improving public safety while fostering sustainable, responsible reform. This means looking at comprehensive sentencing reform so that inmates seek rehabilitate services while in prison. These efforts will not just lower recidivism, but decimate the power of prison gangs.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

I look up to my 95 year old Father, a Korean War Veteran. My grandparents had 3rd grade and 6th grade educations and raised 4 children during the Depression. All three of their daughters, my aunts, attended college and became teachers in the 1940s when women of color did not go to college. My Dad returned from Korea after spending a month in a foxhole in January 1951, the Coldest Winter, with a Purple Heart. He went to San Jose State on the GI Bill and became the first Spanish speaking probation officer in Orange County. If it wasn’t for my Dad, I would not be an elected LA Superior Court Judge nor running for the position to become the first Latina ever to lead the largest prosecutorial office in the Country. My Dad represents a truly American success story and I am honored to build upon our family legacy.

Jeff Chemerinsky (Nonpartisan)

I look up to my mom and my wife. Both are exceptional attorneys and leaders, professionally and personally. They are smart, ethical, kind and generous. I always turn to them for advice.

Jonathan Hatami (Nonpartisan)

My wife and mother of my children. She is 16-year veteran police officer; mother to two young children; she works as a detective and also works patrol two time per week; she has stood with me through very difficult times; she is my best friend; she has made me a better person, father, and husband; she is supportive, brave, loving, and caring; she has a kind heart; she is an exceptional role model for our children; she is not judgmental and is very understanding; I can talk with her about my child murder cases; she is faithful, beautiful and will always be there for me.

Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan)

Ronaldo, he stays humble.

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

Abrham Lincoln. Gandhi. Martin Luther King. Barak Obama, Mother Theresa. Each were dedicated to improving the lives of society at large. They genuinely cared about people. They were not motivated by self-interest. They were willing to subject themselves to danger to bring justice to others.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

To Kill a Mockingbird

Jonathan Hatami (Nonpartisan)

If you want to know about me, just watch "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez" on Netflix

Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan)

Heat by Michael Mann

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

The documentary "Skid Row Marathon." I also would suggest that Barack Obama is someone I admire deeply and reflects my political philosophy.

Eric Siddall (Nonpartisan)

"Uneasy Peace: The Great Crime Decline, the Renewal of City Life, and the Next War on Violence" by Patrick Sharkey. Explaining the many reasons crime deceased from 1994 to 2014, measuring the success and benefit this reduction providing to our cities, it also provides a warning of what is lost when crime rises.

"Bleeding Out: The Devastating Consequences of Urban Violence--and a Bold New Plan for Peace in the Streets" by Thomas Abt. This book cuts through ideology and examines practices that work to reduce crime. As a violent crimes prosecutor, I have witnessed first hand how and why the strategy outlined by Abt works.

"Gradual: The Case for Incremental Change in a Radical Age" by Greg Berman, Aubrey Fox. One of my most forcible arguments about why George Gascón must be replaced is his failure in leadership. In Gradual, the authors make the argument that effective and impactful reform begins with getting the buy-in of the people you need to get things done. In the case of the DA's office, those people are the line-prosecutors. I know the front-line prosecutors, I have been elected by them to represent them as their union leader, and I know how to get their buy-in so that we can modernize the D.A.'s office.

"When Brute Force Fails: How to Have Less Crime and Less Punishment" by Mark A. R. Kleiman. This book provides a nuanced view of punishment.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

It is most important for elected officials to be fair, honest, and transparent to the people you are leading and to the community at large. Integrity in leadership is missing in many of our elected officials, and I intend to reverse that trend upon my election to lead the largest prosecutor's office in the country.

Jeff Chemerinsky (Nonpartisan)

Integrity is the most important characteristic for any public official. If elected, I will uphold the highest standard of integrity.

Jonathan Hatami (Nonpartisan)

An elected official should possess: integrity; courage; vision and drive; lead from the front and by example; inspire and motivate others; be transparent and accountable; good judgment; mission for justice; adaptability; an openness to learn; a desire to help others; communication and collaboration; teamwork; humble; and, wisdom. The DA should be a true leader, not a bureaucrat. He must possess integrity and have a plan and mission for public safety and justice and pursue it vigorously and whole-heartedly. Instill hope in others and make a difference for our future generation.

Nathan Hochman (Nonpartisan)

Leaders, especially those in the justice system, need to be independent and collaborative. I will be an independent voice in the DA’s office, always putting public safety and the rule of law over politics and personal agendas. DA Gascon has shown what happens when you substitute a political ideology or party affiliation for independence, deciding upfront that there are certain crimes and criminals that will not be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I will be guided by the evidence and the law as my North Stars in carrying out my mission as District Attorney. My collaborative philosophy is summed up in the saying that if you don’t care who gets the credit, you can do great things in this world. I am all about the mission of justice and protecting the residents of this county; anyone who wants to contribute productively to that mission from any corner of the Office or outside the Office is warmly invited to the table. Since I don’t fear competing ideas nor do I believe I have a monopoly on the best policies or procedures, I welcome input from those with the best and brightest ideas available.

Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan)

Honesty

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

The capacity to listen and learn. Complete honesty and integrity. The commitment to bring the necessary energy and work ethic to see through to fruition ideas into concrete accomplishments. And a deep care and compassion for all people.

Eric Siddall (Nonpartisan)

An ability to listen. An openness to learning. And a realization that you don't have all the answers.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

My personal experience as a domestic violence survivor, coupled with my professional experience as both a long-term Deputy District Attorney and currently as an elected LA Superior Court Judge, will help me to continue being a successful officeholder. My experience has informed my strong belief in community engagement and working to bring groups of people together to make a safer LA.

Nathan Hochman (Nonpartisan)

As a former federal prosecutor, U.S. Assistant Attorney General, and LA City Ethics Commission President, I am the only candidate in the field with over 34 years of criminal justice experience (federal prosecutor of violent gang members, narcotics traffickers, money launderers, corrupt public officials, and environmental criminals; defense attorney; judge’s law clerk; and victims’ rights advocate) and proven leadership record (led major U.S. Dept of Justice Division after Presidential nomination and unanimous U.S. Senate confirmation with $100 million budget and 350 attorneys; headed two large law firms’ govt investigations practices; and presided over L.A. City Ethics Commission). As a result, I will be able to lead with experience, competence, and integrity on Day 1 in the LA County District Attorney’s office, the largest local prosecuting agency in the U.S. with an over $460 million budget and over 2100 employees.

Moreover, I am the only candidate who has represented law enforcement officers in administrative, civil, and criminal proceedings as well as the only candidate who prosecuted law enforcement officers who blatantly violated the law (narcotics deputies in the 1990s who stole from drug dealers). I am the only candidate who is a co-founder of the L.A. Sheriff’s Foundation, which was started to support the LASD during the summer of 2020 when law enforcement was being attacked. We have subsequently raised over $1 million for everything from a communications crisis center, flak jackets, and ATVs to financial help for the 76 cadets who were run over by a car during their training run. These roles give me credibility when I say that I will always have law enforcement’s back but also will not tolerate anyone, including law enforcement officers, who crosses the criminal line.

These experiences and qualities are what put me above the rest of the field to be a successful District Attorney.

Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan)

I’ve always come through and am a sure thing.

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

I have sufficient life experience to understand the issues I will need to address. I also genuinely and deeply care about the welfare of others. I think I also am able to motivate others to do their best.

Eric Siddall (Nonpartisan)

My fellow prosecutors-the ones who know me best and know what it take to get the job done-said it best when they endorsed my candidacy:

“Siddall’s candidacy represents a necessary generational shift inside the office, one that we hope will bridge the gap between our newer deputies, who take a more contemporary approach to their work, and our veteran prosecutors, many of whom joined the office when the proverbial criminal justice 'pendulum' was in a different place than it is today.

Siddall has spent his career handling some of the office’s toughest cases, from domestic violence to gang murders to crimes against peace officers. His commitment to public safety is unquestionable.

For just as long, he has been an outspoken and respected public commentator—on television, in the press, in court, and in the community—on criminal justice-related issues.

He has publicly supported reasonable and sustainable criminal justice reforms. He is a passionate, longtime advocate for the rights of victims and their surviving family members.

Most notably, Siddall is not a newcomer to the fight. His public-facing activism and advocacy predate this election cycle, the one before it, and the one before that. And because he has been involved in and, in many cases, led these very public debates and discussions...he has developed a deep and comprehensive understanding of the political, policy, and legal issues related to the work that we do. This longstanding commitment to community outreach, activism, and reform is a key reason that the Los Angeles Times accurately identified him as a “thorn in Gascón’s side dating to his 2020 campaign” and a “more measured foil for Gascón than much of the primary field.”

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

The core responsibility of the District Attorney is to lead the Office with integrity and true leadership by being responsive to the needs of the community, both civilians and law enforcement. When you are elected DA, you take an oath to uphold the law. This is exactly what I will do. I will not allow the use of blanket policies to prevent Deputy District Attorneys from pursuing the appropriate filing, bail, and sentencing decisions in each case. However, I will advocate for a common-sense approach across the DA's Office that assesses every individual’s criminal history and the seriousness of the current crime.

Jeff Chemerinsky (Nonpartisan)

Protecting the lives, rights and property for all in LA County.

Jonathan Hatami (Nonpartisan)

The core role of the DA is to ensure all are treated fairly under the law, including the accused and victim; to hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions objectively and proportionately; to make whole, as best we can, those who have suffered unfairly; and to offer the chance to rehabilitate those who want it and are willing to accept accountability for their actions. That is justice.

As DA I will do everything in my power to protect our communities especially our children and vulnerable Angelenos and deliver justice; to treat all fairly under the law regardless of ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, wealth or other; support victims; and respect the will of the voters through the laws they enact. I will hold everyone who commits a crime, no matter a Republican or Democrat, elected official or not, rich or poor, media case or not, police officer or not, fairly and justly accountable. All will be treated equally. The DA does not get to pick which laws to follow and which ones to ignore. That is called anarchy, hubris, and narcissism. As DA, I will follow the law, but use what discretionary power I have to ensure the law is applied objectively, fairly, and justly. I will apply the law on a case-by-case basis, prosecute crimes based upon the evidence and make decisions with transparency and accountability.

Justice is not a one-size-fits-all approach and the wholesale non-prosecution of certain crimes and enhancements has only made us less safe. You cannot fix past societal injustices by punishing current victims. We all want to address the over incarceration of low-income people and communities of color but not charging crimes, ignoring violence, refusing to provide basic public safety, and allowing criminals to go free only to commit more crimes and victimize others is not the answer. That is the definition of injustice.

I will never demean, humiliate, or abandon victims. Protecting the public will be my priority.

Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan)

Integrity and commitment to the public’s safety over any political matters.

John McKinney (Nonpartisan)

The District Attorney alleviates public concern by doing his job. The public has to trust that everything that can be done under the law is being done to protect them and their families. There is irreparable distrust between much of the public and the current District Attorney because it is perceived that his agenda has more to do with concern for criminal offenders than victims and vulnerable people in our communities.

I believe integrity at the top and transparency throughout the organization are the keys to restoring public confidence in the justice system. I have a life history of overcoming significant adversity while playing by the rules, demonstrating that I am a person of high character and integrity. I have been tested by life in ways that being the District Attorney cannot even approach.

I also believe that as District Attorney I need to do more to educate the public about the realities of our system to dispel many of the myths that people currently believe.

Finally, I believe people want to see proportional outcomes. We have had periods where sentences have been disproportionately high in some cases and a period now where accountability is non-existent. I believe having consistently fair and finely tailored outcomes that use noncarceral programming when possible will go a long way to restoring confidence in the system.

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

To ensure absolute fairness to all parties involved in the criminal justice system. To make sure that each case is handled with sensitivity and competence.

Eric Siddall (Nonpartisan)

Los Angeles County residents need a reliable partner in the District Attorney’s Office again, one who is committed to fighting crime, restoring public trust, and enacting responsible reforms. As district attorney, I will make public safety the highest priority. I believe by prioritizing public safety and implementing reasonable and responsible reforms we can moderate the pendulum policy swings and steer Los Angeles County towards a future with safer neighborhoods and healthier communities.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

My commitment to my family, my friends, and my values. As a wife, mother, daughter, former prosecutor, and current LA Superior Court Judge, I work hard everyday on behalf of my family, friends, and the community to do the right thing, whether at home, in court, or anywhere in between.

Jonathan Hatami (Nonpartisan)

My legacy: Be the best Dad to my children that I could be.

Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan)

I turned LA’s property crime problem around and spurred economic growth in the poorest areas of LA.

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

To have contributed to others leading lives that are meaningful and purposeful.

Eric Siddall (Nonpartisan)

I want to leave the office better than I found it. I want to leave the community safer than I found it.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

I was 4 years old when I learned that JFK was assassinated. I remember my Mom was out hanging laundry on the clothesline when a neighbor told her. She came into the house crying and turned on the black and white TV. I remember watching the funeral on TV, too.

Nathan Hochman (Nonpartisan)

The first big historical event I remember was Neil Armstrong becoming the first person to step on the moon on July 20, 1969. I was five years old at the time and sat glued in front of the TV as my parents explained to me how mind-blowing it was that we were able to fly someone in a rocket from the Earth to the moon. I remember the feeling of pride in that accomplishment, being forever interested in science and technology and how we were able to pull off that feat, and being somewhat concerned about how we were going to get him back from the moon.

Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan)

9/11 in college.

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

I remember watching President Kennedy in a ticker-tape parade in 1960.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

When I was 12 years old, I babysat 4 boys for $0.50 an hour. At the same age, I also worked at the school district book depository during the summer preparing textbooks for the upcoming school year.

Jonathan Hatami (Nonpartisan)

Delivering newspapers on my bicycle and mowing lawns when I was 14-yrs-old. About a year.

Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan)

Worked in Ramen restaurant in Japan for a year.

John McKinney (Nonpartisan)

I graduated from the UCLA School of Law in 1997 with a Juris Doctor degree. Prior to attending UCLA, I attended Rutgers University. I graduated from Rutgers in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Prior to attending Rutgers, I attended Passaic County Community College. I graduated from PCCC in 1992 with an associate degree. In 1998, I was hired by the LA County DA’s Office.

Before joining the DA’s Office and law school, I worked for two years as a substitute teacher for the East Orange School District in East Orange, NJ. Prior to working as a substitute teacher, I worked three years in the building trades as a carpenter and house painter. Before working in the trades, I worked various temporary jobs, including but not limited to auto parts driver, picker packer, blacksmith, building cleaner, and fast food worker.

I am currently assigned as the Deputy In Charge of the East Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. As a manager, I supervise Deputy District Attorneys and support staff. I am in charge of the day-to-day operations of the office.

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

I flipped hamburgers for 7 years, starting when I was 12 years old.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

I’m stuck between two: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl and The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho. Man’s Search for Meaning discusses that one of the most basic of human drives is to seek meaningful pursuits in one’s life, like running for District Attorney to restore law and order to the residents of LA County. Additionally, The Alchemist explores the unexpected journey, both obstacles and victories throughout the course of one’s life.

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

The Water Dancer

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

Gloria from Modern Family—after all, I am already married to a guy named Jay!

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

Atticus Finch.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

Jirah

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

When I was 19, I suffered a traumatic brain injury because of domestic violence. I had brain surgery at 21 and thereafter devoted my career to serving victims of other serious and violent crimes. That experience has motivated me for the past 45 years as I continue to seek justice for the victims of serious and violent crimes.

Jonathan Hatami (Nonpartisan)

Overcoming being a victim of child abuse. You can never outlive your childhood. But you cannot let it define who you grow up to be.

Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan)

Finding a place to park.

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

I have struggled to reconcile my relative material comfort with the reality that most people have not enjoyed a similar well-being. I have also struggled to find the right balance in terms of devoting time to my family and the time I spend in the community.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

Nathan Hochman (Nonpartisan)

I believe that a District Attorney should make decisions based on an individual case-by-case analysis that focuses on the defendant and his/her background, the crime committed, and the impact on the victim to incarcerate true threats to our safety but also to allow those who aren’t (a first-time, non-violent offender) the chance to pay their debt to society in some other way, like community service or a diversion program. I call this the “hard middle” approach since it requires significant experience and judgment to make these difficult decisions (I bring over 34 years’ criminal justice experience to the job) and rejects the extreme blanket policies of mass incarceration on one end and DA George Gascon’s blanket de-incarceration policy on the other end of the pendulum swing.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

All lawyer jokes are my favorite!!!!

Nathan Hochman (Nonpartisan)

“57.3% of statistics are made up.”

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

Not too good at jokes.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

Glendale POA, Burbank POA, Democrats for Israel—Los Angeles, Senator Bob Archuleta (CA SD-30), Mayor Robert Gonzales (Azusa), Mayor Albert Ambriz (Irwindale)

Jeff Chemerinsky (Nonpartisan)

LA League of Conservation Voters

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Heart of LA Democratic Club New Frontier Democratic Club Culver City Democrats United LA City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto LA City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield Former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, Former US Congressmembers Yvonne Burke and Henry Waxman Leading civil rights attorney Connie Rice Former LA City Controller Laura Chick Former LA City Controller Rick Tuttle Former LA City Councilmember Paul Koretz Former LA City Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell LAUSD School Board member Nick Melvoin Former Presidents of Los Angeles Police Commission

Steve Soboroff, Matt Johnson and Gerald Chaleff Compton City Council and Mayor Pro Tem Lillie Darden

Jonathan Hatami (Nonpartisan)

IAMAW Local 1484; Marine Clerks Assoc. ILWU Local 63; The Signal SCV-Newspaper; Vote Vets; Israeli-American Civic Action Network; LA County Taxpayers Assoc.; Democrats for Israel LA

Beverly Hills, El Monte, Hawthorne, Glendale, Claremont, Monterey Park, Bell Gardens, San Gabriel, Bell, Gardena, South Gate, Arcadia & La Verne Police Officers' Associations

District Attorneys Lisa Smittcamp (Fresno); Mike Hestrin (Riverside); Cindy Zimmer (Bakersfield)

Mayors Joe Vinatieri (Whittier); Rex Parris (Lancaster); Andrew Lara (Pico Rivera); Gil Hurtado (South Gate); Phil Brock (Santa Monica); Austin Bishop (Palmdale); John Harrington (San Gabriel); April Verlato (Arcadia); Oralia Rebollo (Commerce); Rosario Diaz (West Covina).

Nathan Hochman (Nonpartisan)

Steve Cooley, former three-term LA County District Attorney

Debra Wong Yang, United States Attorney (2002-2006) Nicola Hanna, United States Attorney (2018-2021) Terree Bowers, United States Attorney (1992-1994) Sandra Brown, United States Attorney (2017-2018) Robert Bonner, United States Attorney (1984-1989) Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes Joyce Dudley, former DA from Santa Barbara County Les Bider, former Chair, Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles Stanley Gold, former Chair, Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles

Irwin Field, former Chair, Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles

John McKinney (Nonpartisan)

Elected Officials

-Claudia M. Frometa, Councilmember, City of Downey -Lynda P. Johnson, Councilmember, City of Cerritos -Juanita Martin, Mayor, City of Santa Fe Springs -Warren Furutani, former California State Assemblyman and LAUSD Board Member -Katrina Manning, Councilmember, City of Hawthorne -Mark Pulido, Former Mayor, City of Cerritos

and many more...

Organizations \- AFSCME Local 3090 \n LA City Employees/911 Dispatchers \- Citizens for Accountable Leadership (CAL) \- Democrats for Israel – Los Angeles \- I Chinese American Political Action Committee (IAPAC) \- Covina Police Officers’ Association \- Santa Monica Police Officers’ Association \- West Covina Covina Police Officers’ Association

\- Whittier Police Officers’ Association

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

Howard Berman, Dr. Astrid Heger

Eric Siddall (Nonpartisan)

The Association of Deputy District Attorneys, the organization that represents the line-prosecutors. They stated, “We believe that Eric has the necessary political acumen, policy depth, and prosecutorial experience to take the fight directly to Gascón this November, to beat him in the general election, and, once elected, to move the District Attorney’s Office forward in a new, constructive, and modern direction."

Mike Webb, City Attorney for Redondo Beach, who created a modern homeless court model, that Eric wants to expand throughout Los Angeles.

Bob Foster, former Mayor of Long Beach, stated: “Eric Siddall's commitment to justice and public safety is unwavering."

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Debra Archuleta (Nonpartisan)

Financial transparency and government accountability are both foundational to a functioning democracy at the local, state, and federal levels. There is much room for improvement in these areas!

Jonathan Hatami (Nonpartisan)

Financial transparency and government accountability are extremely important to me. Within the LA DA's office, the Public Integrity Division (PID) is vital to our community in making sure the government is accountable to the people we serve. Transparency and integrity are everything as a prosecutor. It means doing the right thing even when others don’t see what you are doing. It means that the LA DA’s office is the “People’s Office,” and the entire community has a right to be safe and know what their office is doing. We must be accountable to the people we took an oath to protect, and we must be transparent. That also means rooting out favoritism, public corruption, police misconduct, and political cronyism anywhere we see it.

Complaints by the public must be addressed timely and with compassion, empathy and understanding. All complaints regarding public corruption and financial transparency must and will be thoroughly and timely investigated under my administration.

I will bring a culture of transparency, honesty, integrity, and professionalism back to the DA’s office. I will have an open-door policy and a supportive working environment. The office will be about public safety, victim’s rights, and accountability first, and you will have a DA whose only ambition is not politics but to truly serve the community he lives in.

Lloyd Masson (Nonpartisan)

We have failed.

Craig Mitchell (Nonpartisan)

The public has a right to know exactly how every penny of their money is being spent.

Eric Siddall (Nonpartisan)

I am the only candidate running for district attorney with a good government plan and who has spoken out publicly about the lack of transparency of the current administration. I fully comply with the California Public Records Act, something not done by the current D.A. as evidenced by a recent lawsuit on this very issues.

I pledge greater transparency on providing the public key information on controversial cases, specifically the declination to file criminal charges in cases involving officer-involved shootings reviewed by prosecutors.

Currently, declinations on cases involving officer-involved shootings are being delayed for political purposes. I will end that practice. Further, I pledge to personally explain to the media the declination of an any controversial officer-involved shooting case. No other elected Los Angeles County D.A. has ever made this pledge. I believe it is critical to personally explain these cases because the public is often not given a full explanation and the lack of transparency often causes confusion and skepticism.

### Campaign advertisements[edit]

This section includes a selection of up to three campaign advertisements per candidate released in this race, as well as links to candidates' YouTube, Vimeo, and/or Facebook video pages. If you are aware of other links that should be included, please email us.

#### George Gascón[edit]

Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for George Gascón while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.

#### Jeff Chemerinsky[edit]

Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for Jeff Chemerinsky while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.

#### Jonathan Hatami[edit]

May 24, 2023

View more ads here:

* YouTube
* Facebook

#### Nathan Hochman[edit]

April 10, 2023

View more ads here:

* YouTube
* Facebook

#### Eric Siddall[edit]

Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for Eric Siddall while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.

## Endorsements[edit]

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

Click the links below to see official endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites for any candidates that make that information available. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.

* George Gascón
* Jeff Chemerinsky
* Jonathan Hatami
* Nathan Hochman
* Dan Kapelovitz
* John McKinney

## Election competitiveness[edit]

### Polls[edit]

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls

We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics, when available. No polls were available for this election. To notify us of polls published in this election, please email us.

## Election spending[edit]

### Campaign finance[edit]

Candidates in this election submitted campaign finance reports to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Click here to access those reports.

### Satellite spending[edit]

See also: Satellite spending

Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[22][23][24]

If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.

## Election context[edit]

### Ballot access requirements[edit]

The table below details filing requirements for district attorney candidates in Los Angeles County in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in California, click here.

Filing requirements for Los Angeles County District Attorney candidates, 2024

Signatures required  | Filing fee  | Filing deadline  | Source
20-40 | $4,023.79[25] | 12/8/2023 | 1 2

### Los Angeles County district attorney election history[edit]

#### 2020[edit]

See also: Municipal elections in Los Angeles County, California (2020)

#### General election

##### General election for Los Angeles County District Attorney

George Gascón defeated incumbent Jackie Lacey in the general election for Los Angeles County District Attorney on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| George Gascón (Nonpartisan) |

53.5

| 2,002,865

| Jackie Lacey (Nonpartisan) |

46.5

| 1,738,617

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 3,741,482

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

#### Nonpartisan primary election

##### Nonpartisan primary for Los Angeles County District Attorney

Incumbent Jackie Lacey and George Gascón defeated Rachel Rossi in the primary for Los Angeles County District Attorney on March 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| Jackie Lacey (Nonpartisan) |

48.7

| 869,127

| George Gascón (Nonpartisan) |

28.2

| 504,088

Submit photo

| Rachel Rossi (Nonpartisan) |

23.1

| 413,231

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 1,786,446

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

#### 2016[edit]

See also: Municipal elections in Los Angeles County, California (2016)

Incumbent Jackie Lacey won re-election unopposed.

#### 2012[edit]

Jackie Lacey defeated Alan Jackson in the general election for Los Angeles County District Attorney on November 6, 2012.

Los Angeles County District Attorney, 2012

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Nonpartisan  | Jackie Lacey | 54.6% | 1,050,671
| Nonpartisan  |  Alan Jackson  | 45.4% | 874,582
Total Votes | 1,925,253
Election results via Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, "November 6, 2012, General Election Statement of Vote," accessed January 11, 2024

Jackie Lacey and Alan Jackson advanced from the primary for Los Angeles County District Attorney on June 5, 2012.

Los Angeles County District Attorney, 2012

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Nonpartisan  | Jackie Lacey | 31.7% | 145,483
| Nonpartisan  | Alan Jackson | 23.8% | 108,944
| Nonpartisan  |  Carmen Trutanich  | 22.2% | 101,571
| Nonpartisan  |  Danette E. Meyers  | 13.4% | 61,413
| Nonpartisan  |  Bobby Grace  | 5.5% | 25,404
| Nonpartisan  |  John L. Breault III  | 3.4% | 15,407
Total Votes | 458,222
Election results via Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, "June 5, 2012, Presidential Primary Statement of Vote," accessed January 11, 2024

## 2024 battleground elections[edit]

See also: Battlegrounds

This was a battleground election. Other 2024 battleground elections included:

* Pennsylvania Attorney General election, 2024
* United States Senate election in Indiana, 2024 (May 7 Republican primary)
* United States Senate election in Michigan, 2024 (August 6 Republican primary)

## See also[edit]

Los Angeles County, California | California | Municipal government | Other local coverage

|
|
|

* Government of Los Angeles County, California
* 2022 Los Angeles County elections
* Los Angeles County, California
* Counties in California

* California
* California elections, 2024
* Public policy in California
* Endorsers in California

* Top counties
* 100 largest cities
* Current mayors
* Current council officials

* 2024 municipal elections
* School board elections, 2024
* Local ballot measure elections in 2024
* 2024 local judicial elections

## External links[edit]

* Search Google News for this topic
* Los Angeles County, California

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ LAist, "9 Candidates For LA County DA Will Debate Tonight. The Current DA Won't Be One Of Them," October 18, 2023
2. ↑ National Public Radio, "George Gascón Implements Sweeping Changes To Los Angeles District Attorney's Office," December 8, 2020
3. ↑ Los Angeles County District Attorney, "Special Directive 20-14," December 7, 2020
4. ↑ ABC 7, "LA County race for district attorney: Gascón faces off with candidates in Democratic debate," November 16, 2023
5. ↑ George Gascòn campaign website, "Meet George," accessed January 12, 2024
6. ↑ Jeff Chemerinsky campaign website, "Meet Jeff," accessed January 12, 2024
7. ↑ YouTube, "Jeff Chemerinsky for L.A. County District Attorney - Jeff Chemerinsky Sits Down with Elex Michaelson," September 21, 2023
8. ↑ Jonathan Hatami campaign website, "Hatami's Story," accessed January 12, 2024
9. ↑ Jonathan Hatami campaign website, "Home page," accessed January 12, 2024
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Nathan Hochman campaign website, "Home page," accessed January 12, 2024
11. ↑ YouTube, "Nathan Hochman for LA County District Attorney - Fixing LA's Broken Scales of Justice," April 10, 2023
12. ↑ Nathan Hochman campaign website, "Blueprint for Justice," accessed January 12, 2024
13. ↑ Eric Siddall campaign website, "Meet Eric," accessed January 12, 2024
14. ↑ Eric Siddall campaign website, "Priorities," accessed January 12, 2024
15. ↑ Los Angeles Magazine, "Former Federal Prosecutor Jeff Chemerinsky Enters Race for District Attorney," September 12, 2023
16. ↑ Twitter, "Jonathan Hatami," April 27, 2023
17. ↑ Eric Siddall campaign website, "Campaign Launch - Press Release," August 28, 2023
18. ↑ George Gascón campaign website, "Home page," accessed January 12, 2024
19. ↑ CalMatters, "Los Angeles DA race more likely a referendum on George Gascón than progressive politics," October 19, 2023
20. ↑ California law allows for in-person voter registration at designated locations in the 14 days before and including Election Day. The state refers to this process as Same Day Voter Registration.
21. ↑ Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, "Voting In-Person," accessed January 12, 2024
22. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
23. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
24. ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
25. ↑ 12,072 signatures can be provided in lieu of the filing fee

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