IGS Co-Director Schickler connects Californians' "heightened sense of public disorder" to election of new LA District Attorney Hochman, CNN reports

In the aftermath of the 2024 general election, August Berkeley IGS poll data showing 60% of likely Los Angeles County voters thought public safety declined in the previous three years proves prophetic: Los Angeles elects former Republican candidate for California attorney general and federal prosecutor, Nathan Hochman as the new district attorney for the largest district in the nation. California voters also voted to recall overwhelmingly for Proposition 36, which imposes stricter penalties for some drug and theft crimes, as Oakland voters chose to recall progressive DA Pamela Price, signaling a statewide pushback against reform efforts. According to IGS Co-Director Eric Schickler, “It’s impossible to disconnect what happened in the Hochman and Price races from Proposition 36 passing by such a big margin in the state.” Shickler continues to assert that Hochman's defeat of incumbent George Gascón, known as the “Godfather” of progressive prosecutors, represent a setback for advocates of criminal justice reform, but it doesn’t mean California is a bellwether for the nation. To read the full article, click here.