Candidate Profile:
Nathan Hochman is a highly respected legal professional with over three decades of experience. He has served as a U.S. Assistant Attorney General, where he worked on high-profile cases involving organized crime, public corruption, and environmental crimes. He has also served as a federal prosecutor, bringing to justice criminals engaged in drug trafficking and fraud. His platform is centered on restoring law and order in Los Angeles, ensuring that the legal system prioritizes both public safety and justice for victims. Hochman is committed to creating a balanced, efficient justice system that combines strong prosecution with necessary reforms to reduce racial disparities without undermining law enforcement efforts.
Hochman’s experience extends to private practice, where he has represented individuals in complex white-collar cases, giving him a well-rounded perspective on the criminal justice system from both the prosecution and defense sides. He strongly believes in victims’ rights and is critical of policies that overlook their needs. Throughout his career, he has worked to ensure that justice is served, while also advocating for reforms that prevent overreach within the legal system.
Why We Endorse Nathan Hochman:
Thrive LA PAC strongly supports Nathan Hochman because he stands for a balanced, pragmatic approach to criminal justice that is sorely needed after the failures of George Gascón’s administration. Under Gascón, Los Angeles has seen a surge in crime, particularly in property crimes like retail theft and organized shoplifting, which have directly harmed small businesses. These crimes have skyrocketed due to Gascón’s policies that decriminalized or drastically reduced penalties for offenses that were once prosecuted with greater severity.
Gascón’s refusal to prosecute certain crimes and his elimination of sentence enhancements for violent offenders have created an environment where criminals feel emboldened, knowing they won’t face serious consequences. Homicide rates, although they have fluctuated, remain a concern, and property crimes have risen by 20% since Gascón took office. These policies have been pro-criminal and anti-victim, leading to a breakdown in public safety across Los Angeles.
Hochman has made it clear that he will restore accountability by reversing Gascón’s blanket policies that have resulted in lax law enforcement. Unlike Gascón, who eliminated cash bail and chose not to pursue serious charges against repeat offenders, Hochman supports prosecuting violent crimes fully, including using appropriate sentencing enhancements to ensure that serious criminals face consequences that fit their crimes. He also emphasizes proactive law enforcement and victim advocacy, ensuring that those affected by crime have their voices heard and their rights protected.
A key part of Hochman’s platform is victims’ rights. He is determined to shift the focus back to those who have been hurt by crime, particularly in minority communities, where many victims of violence and theft reside. Hochman understands that Gascón’s policies, while intended to reduce incarceration, have actually made these communities less safe by ignoring the needs of victims and undermining public safety. Hochman’s approach involves both holding criminals accountable and ensuring that disparities in sentencing are addressed through targeted reforms, rather than blanket policies that leave neighborhoods vulnerable.
In contrast to Gascón’s controversial tenure, which has been marked by growing dissatisfaction from both law enforcement and the general public, Hochman offers a platform rooted in common-sense reform. He believes in protecting communities, holding criminals accountable, and ensuring that law enforcement has the tools they need to combat rising crime effectively. For these reasons, Thrive LA PAC believes Nathan Hochman is the right choice to bring stability, safety, and justice back to Los Angeles County.