As a lifelong Angeleno and journalist, I recently ran for Senate because I feared that my daughter would not get to experience the beautiful Los Angeles that raised me.
L.A. has changed for the worse because of crime. After years of interviewing victims, perpetrators, and police, I’ve seen the shift up close. I believe District Attorney George Gascón’s policies play a significant role in this change, and that’s why I’m voting for Nathan Hochman.
While a new poll shows Hochman far ahead, that poll cannot be taken for granted. I went to South LA this week and spoke to voters. I asked ten people who they were voting for in the D.A. race. Not a single one knew the candidates, and multiple people said they would simply vote for the person who has a “D” next to their name. Hochman is independent. I fear this voter reality was not accounted for in the polls.
Here’s what’s at stake: crime has surged, and we’re all seeing it. My car was stolen, my mother was robbed, and my home was burglarized. This experience mirrors that of many other Angelenos. From 2020 to 2023, violent crime in California rose by 12%, property crime by 20%, and shoplifting by a staggering 133%. While murders dropped by 16% statewide, they increased by 8% in L.A. County.
I’m not here to attack Gascón’s character; he may mean well. But many feel he pushes an extreme ideology that has prioritized criminals over victims. As an elected leader, his duty should be to serve the public, and that’s done by taking actions that both hold criminals accountable AND address mass incarceration through preventative and rehabilitative programs.
It is common sense to look at the root cause of crime. We would be better served to invest in reading programs for underserved kids, and strengthen the education in under-resourced areas, rather than letting criminals go free without any accountability.
Many families of victims feel betrayed by Gascón. I think of Desiree Andrade, a mother whose son Julian was brutally murdered. His killers could have faced less severe consequences due to Gascón’s refusal to apply “special circumstances” in charging them. It took Desiree’s courageous fight to ensure her son’s murderers were held fully accountable.
The consequences of Gascón’s policies are clear in everyday life. Stores across LA are locking up their products due to rampant theft. In Compton, Rite Aid made headlines for securing literally all of their products. This disproportionately hurts the communities Gascón claims to help.
I witnessed a particularly alarming moment when Gascón addressed a predominantly Black audience. Instead of discussing his plans to combat structural racism, he stoked the flames of racism. He claimed he received backlash for hiring his Chief of Staff because of the color of her skin. He omitted the fact that she had called police “barbarians” and an “occupying army,” and wore a shirt on social media that said “police are trained to kill us.” Could the criticism have to do with that? The D.A.’s office must work collaboratively with police in the pursuit of justice.
In contrast, Nathan Hochman offers a balanced, non-partisan approach. His focus on prevention, intervention, and accountability is the right path forward. As a former federal prosecutor, Hochman has the experience and vision to lead the D.A.’s office with integrity and fairness. His approach prioritizes protecting the most vulnerable while addressing the root causes of crime like mental health and substance abuse.
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What gives me hope is that more people are paying attention. Disillusioned Democrats and everyday Angelenos are rallying for common-sense solutions. Groups like Safer LA, which I recently joined, are leading the charge to restore order and safety in our city. The founder, USC Professor Diego Berdakin, says their vision is to support future leaders who will prioritize safety and justice for all.
Our families deserve to live and work in neighborhoods without fear of violence or crime. Our small business owners and workers deserve to know they’ll be safe on the job. Our residents deserve to live authentically and practice their diverse ethnic, cultural and religious traditions without the threat of violence or discrimination.
Our democracy works when we show up at the polls. Voter participation is critical for the future of our city and state. Los Angeles County has the largest prosecutorial office in the nation, and its policies can set a precedent for the rest of the country. Let’s send a clear message: we want a District Attorney who prioritizes safety and accountability for all Angelenos, and a D.A. who puts people over politics. With Nathan Hochman, I believe we can create a safer and more equitable Los Angeles.
Christina Pascucci is a former candidate for U.S. Senate and a longtime Los Angeles TV broadcaster.