In America: California’s Progressive Prosecutors Face Voter Backlash: A New Era In Justice Reform?
Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG
Following the 2024 election cycle, California's political landscape underwent a profound upheaval as voters decisively rejected numerous progressive District Attorneys. This wave of discontent was visible in Alameda County, Los Angeles County, and San Francisco, where the public rejected District Attorneys Pamela Price, Chesa Boudin, and George Gascón.
The Recall of Pamela Price
Pamela Price, who made history in 2022 as Alameda County’s first Black female District Attorney, faced a recall campaign culminating in her removal from office in 2024. The recall movement declared triumph after 64% of the electorate voted to oust her. The most recent estimates suggest that almost 484,000 ballots had been counted, with 275,000 in support of the recall and 155,000 opposed.
Millionaire hedge fund executive Philip Dreyfuss contributed significantly to the recall movement, adding further complexity to the situation. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Dreyfuss donated nearly $300,000 to the group Supporters of Recall Pamela Price last year. His financial involvement demonstrates that the recall was inspired not only by local dissatisfaction but also by significant financers.
Brenda Grisham, a recall movement leader, told the Berkeley Scanner that her campaign seeks justice for victims and families. The recall movement was spurred by the problems that plagued Price's administration. Mario Juarez, an Oakland businessman, made one of the most damaging allegations about an FBI corruption investigation. Price allegedly attempted to extort $25,000 from Juarez to withdraw the charges against him. This charge and Price’s decision to prosecute Juarez for allegedly writing faulty checks created an image of corruption and spite.
These scandals, combined with rising crime rates and public disapproval of her lax prosecuting methods, formed a perfect storm. Price's approach to criminal justice reform, according to the recall movement, endangered public safety and eroded public confidence in the legal system.
Alameda County will select a new District Attorney following Price's removal from office. The county’s Board of Supervisors will meet on the 10th of December to appoint a new DA, with public interviews and voting set for the new year.
The Defeat of George Gascón
George Gascón, elected in 2020 on a platform emphasizing criminal justice reform and police accountability, faced a tough re-election battle in 2024. Despite receiving the most votes in the March primary, Gascón entered Election Day as an underdog, trailing Hochman by 24 to 30 percentage points, according to recent polls. Hochman ultimately won by a large majority, with 61% of the vote against DA Gascón.
Gascón recognized the broader political ramifications of his defeat and released a statement - "The rightward movement across America last night is tragic. Democrats face a long road ahead, but the work is more important than ever, and our resolve will not falter.” He thanked the communities for supporting his reform efforts and expressed pride in his accomplishments over the past four years.
Former federal prosecutor Hochman, set to succeed Gascón, campaigned on a platform that prioritized tougher anti-crime laws. He labeled Gascón's progressive reforms as a "failed social experiment," claiming they made Los Angeles County less secure. Hochman's message resonated with increasingly concerned voters about crime and public safety, resulting in a clear victory.
A Broader Rightward Shift
Gascón's fall is part of a bigger trend in American politics in 2024, with voters favoring politicians who promise stricter police enforcement and tougher positions on crime. Based on early returns, Hochman had a commanding 23-point advantage, according to the Los Angeles Times, indicating a significant shift in voter preferences toward more conservative viewpoints.
Fears of crime, public safety, and dissatisfaction with progressive criminal justice reforms are the main drivers of this tendency - part of a broader rightward shift in American geopolitics.
Brooke Jenkins & San Francisco’s Moderate Approach
San Francisco took a different route from the general trend. The city replaced the recalled progressive DA, Chesa Boudin, with Brooke Jenkins, a more moderate Democrat.
Chesa Boudin, a renowned progressive activist and lawyer was elected as San Francisco's District Attorney in 2019. His initiatives sought to address systemic injustices, abolish cash bail, and reduce incarceration. Conversely, his tenure was characterized by rising crime rates and widespread public dissatisfaction. According to ABC 7 San Francisco, his moderate approach was criticized for increasing lawlessness, particularly in instances involving property crime and drug charges.
A group of disgruntled citizens and business owners felt that Boudin's policies were not keeping the city safe, which led to his recall in June 2022. According to CBS News San Francisco, the recall effort used prominent incidents of violent crime and property theft to prove Boudin's progressive policies ineffective. Boudin's recall in June 2022 was prompted by dissatisfied residents and business owners who believed his policies failed to keep the city safe. The recall campaign cited high-profile episodes of violent crime and property theft as evidence of Boudin's progressive measures, according to CBS News San Francisco.
Following Boudin's recall, Mayor London Breed selected Brooke Jenkins, a former prosecutor who had aggressively lobbied for his ouster, as temporary District Attorney. Jenkins, eventually elected to a full term, presented herself as a moderate option. Her approach sought to strike a balance between reform and a greater emphasis on public safety, according to SFGATE.
A broader shift in voter sentiment toward more conservative policies was reflected in the 2024 California elections, which marked a turning point for progressive district attorneys. Rising crime rates, public displeasure with her soft prosecuting practices, and difficulties depicting her administration as dishonest and inefficient all contributed to the recall of Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. However, it’s also possible that the conservative rhetoric surrounding “lawless cities,” may have impacted voter intentions. The significant financial backing from hedge fund executive Philip Dreyfuss adds another degree of complication, implying that the recall was driven by both local dissatisfaction and external financers.
Meanwhile, in LA County, Gascón's progressive policies, which centered on criminal justice reform and police accountability, were attacked for being too mild and for contributing to rising crime rates. Hochman's tougher-on-crime agenda appealed to voters increasingly concerned about public safety, resulting in a clear victory.
These outcomes demonstrate the intricacies of voter feelings in 2024. While more extreme progressive proposals were rejected in favor of more substantial law enforcement, San Francisco's selection of a moderate Democrat demonstrates a desire for a more balanced approach to criminal justice. As California moves forward, the focus will most likely be on achieving this balance to accommodate its citizens' changing interests and concerns.