Democrat George Gascon was decisively defeated by independent Nathan Hochman in the Los Angeles County district attorney race, losing 62% to 38%. Gascon's tenure was marred by rising crime rates, which voters attributed to his pro-criminal policies, leading to two failed recall attempts against him. Hochman, a former Republican, positioned himself as a 'hard middle' candidate advocating for a more balanced approach to crime and law enforcement. He garnered significant endorsements from law enforcement and raised over $10 million for his campaign, compared to Gascon's $1.2 million. Gascon defended his record, citing a decrease in violent crime in Los Angeles, but Hochman disputed this, claiming crime increased under Gascon's policies. The election outcome reflects a shift in public sentiment towards a tougher stance on crime in the wake of ongoing safety concerns in the county.