Gascón, S. F.’ s former D. A., wins post in L. A. County

Former San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón has officially clinched the title of top prosecutor in Los Angeles County, scoring a key victory for reform advocates and ending a bitterly contested race against incumbent Jackie Lacey.

Gascón, part of a nationwide progressive prosecutor movement, ran on promises of ending mass incarceration and holding police accountable — a platform that gained fresh urgency following this year’s police killing of George Floyd and the widespread protests that followed.

In a virtual news conference Friday afternoon, Gascón said his campaign and the reform movement in the nation’s largest county were “considered by many to be a long shot.”

“But we’re here, we did it,” he said. “And I stand before you committed to making lasting changes that will make our communities safer, healthier and will restore the promise of equal justice for all, both here in L. A. and far beyond.”

Lacey, who was the county’s first woman and first Black district attorney, announced her concession at an earlier news conference.

In an emotional speech, Lacey said she was grateful for the “incredible opportunity” to serve the people of Los Angeles, and specifically thanked her family for their sacrifices along the way.

“To my mom, who constantly asked me, ‘ Are you OK?’ ” Lacey said as her voice cracked. “And who reminded me, during this contentious fight, that no matter what happens, I made history.”

When speaking with reporters Friday, Gascón held up a “laundry list” of planned policy changes, including ending juvenile transfers to adult court, ending the use of the death penalty and working to resentence those already condemned and to create or expand neighborhood, behavioral health and diversion programs.

“Those were not promises from the campaign; those were commitments,” he said. “I view those as a contract with you, the community.”

Lacey had disagreed with Gascón on several issues, including the death penalty, which Lacey said she reserved for only the most violent offenders. During her time in office, Lacey sent at least 23 people to Death Row, according to the Appeal.

Gascón’s path to become one of nation’s most powerful reform prosecutors was unusual. He started his career as a beat cop for LAPD, rising through the ranks to become assistant chief there, then the chief of Mesa, Ariz., and San Francisco.

During his time as San Francisco district attorney, Gascón butted heads with law enforcement groups by sponsoring