Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso Jan. 25 criticized the Los Angeles Times’ endorsement of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón’s reelection in the upcoming March primary election.
Mr. Caruso, a commercial real estate developer, lost to Karen Bass in 2022.
He called the DA’s race in March “a most consequential election.”
“Our community is facing a torrent of public safety emergencies, from gun violence and a fentanyl crisis to an alarming spike in property crimes,” Mr. Caruso posted to X, formerly Twitter. “The Times’ endorsement is out of touch with the realities of Los Angeles and public opinion.”
He said the election timing provides constituents with an opportunity to reflect on the effect of the district attorney’s policies.
“This election is a referendum on whether our communities feel safer today than they did three and a half years ago. Every day I hear from folks who unequivocally say they do not—a direct result of the current DA’s policies.”
In the endorsement, the Los Angeles Times editorial board said that Mr. Gascón seeks “the most fitting rather than the longest possible sentences” in his policies.
Additionally, the editorial said the claim that Mr. Gascón is soft on crime is disputed, indicating that the number of cases filed during his tenure aligns with those of earlier administrations.
Mr. Gascón announced his candidacy for reelection last November. There are 11 other candidates in the race, including five deputy DAs: Eric Siddall, Jonathan Hatami, María Ramirez, Lloyd Masson, and John McKinney.
Former U.S. Assistant Attorney General Nathan Hochman, former federal prosecutor Jeff Chemerinsky, L.A. County Superior Court Judges Debra Archuleta, Craig Mitchell, retired Judge David Milto, and criminal defense attorney Dan Kapelovitz are also among the contenders.
“This is about looking at the criminal justice system of the 21st Century not with a rearview mirror but looking forward. Reform is the collective work of people both in our community and in the legal system,” Mr. Gascón said at the time of his announcement.
The district attorney has faced criticism since assuming office in December 2020, particularly for directives that critics argue as being soft on crime, including a prohibition on seeking the death penalty, restrictions on transferring juvenile defendants to adult court, and limitations on filing sentencing enhancements in most cases.
Previously serving as the DA in San Francisco, Mr. Gascón was succeeded by Chesa Boudin, who was recalled by voters in 2022.
Mr. Caruso has previously endorsed an effort to recall Mr. Gascón in 2022, saying his directives have led to an increase in crime. Previously, he also donated $45,000 to support Mr. Gascón’s opponent, the two-term incumbent District Attorney Jackie Lacey.
“I urge every Angeleno to learn about each candidate along with their track records and take the time to participate in this critical election,” Mr. Caruso said. “It is the most consequential election for the future of our county.”
