Is L.A. about to lose its woke DA? George Gascon clings on with narrow lead in crowded primary - as rival independent Nathan Hochman says he'll join forces with other candidates to push embattled prosecutor out of office

Woke L.A. DA George Gascon is clinging on to a narrow lead in Tuesday's primary in an early indication of residents finally turning on his soft-on-crime policies. 

With 55 percent of votes counted, Gascon has a marginal lead with 21.4 percent over of the votes and independent Nathan Hochman's 17.7 percent. 

In 2020, he defeated opponent Jackie Lacey with an eight point lead.  

Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami, a child abuse prosecutor and fervent critic of Gascon, rounds out the third spot with 13 percent of the votes.

Although various polls have shown 51 percent of voters disapprove of the woke prosecutor, the large field of 11 challengers has kept him at the top so far.

Hochman, a former U.S. assistant attorney general running as an independent, told DailyMail.com he is ready to take on Gascon if they head to a November runoff. 

‘As you can see from the results, there are over 75 percent people in Los Angeles County who voted against George Gascon, and I will be able to unify that opposition and put his record of failure over the last three years in trial. 

‘My witnesses will be the real-life victims of George Gascon’s policies who have suffered themselves.’

Gascon has led a contentious tenure in his first year as L.A.’s top prosecutor, with several of the rank-and-file members of the office accusing him of retaliation if they went against his policies. To date, there are at least a dozen open lawsuits filed by prosecutors against Gascon.

A jury in March 2023 awarded $1.5 million in a retaliation lawsuit filed by veteran juvenile division prosecutor Shawn Randolph, who claimed she was shuttered from her duties after she pushed back against Gascon’s policies- including a ban on trying juveniles as adults.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon speaks during a news conference Feb. 22, 2023, in Los Angeles

Gascon also was blasted by the family of L.A. Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, who was shot in the head on Sept. 16 as he was sitting in his patrol unit at a red light in front of the Palmdale, Calif. Sheriff’s station.

Clinkunbroomer’s mother, Kim, told ABC News that Gascon did not tell her he would not seek the death penalty against her son’s alleged killer.

The distraught mother told the outlet she found out the death penalty was off the table when Gascon held a televised press conference.

‘It just seemed that the district attorney wants to spare a life, when [the suspect] didn’t spare my son’s life- he executed my son,’ Kim Clinkunbroomer said. ‘How dare you, on national TV, tell me you're not seeking the death penalty because it won't bring my son back? My son's not coming back, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do your job.’

Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar, 29, was charged Sept. 20 with murder for Clinkunbroomer's shooting.

Rogue independent Nathan Hochman says he'll band together with other opponents to oust Gascon 

Hochman told the DailyMail.com if he wins, he will reinstate several policies that Gascon eliminated since taking office, including seeking the death penalty and special enhancements.

‘When I take an oath to uphold the laws of the state of California, that’s one of the laws that will be considered in very rare circumstances when it applies to the most heinous situations,’ Hochman said. ‘For instance, the cold-blooded assassination of a police officer, a mass terror incident where, God forbid, someone places a bomb at a stadium.

He continued, ‘These are the types of situations that the death penalty needs to be on the table to considered. I would not do what George Gascon has done and totally take it off the table as if the death penalty law does not exist.’

The former federal prosecutor said he hopes to unite the other candidates and their supporters to oust Gascon, who has already face two failed recall efforts.

‘My other worthy opponents who are running against Gascon share something in common,’ Hochman said. ‘We share a passion and know his policies has made us feel less safe. I’m hoping to enlist their support to continue the movement to get George Gascon out of office and to end the ‘Golden Age of Criminals’ in LA County.’

Gascon has not responded to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.

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