New Poll Shows Challenger Nathan Hochman Leading Incumbent George Gascón in Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Race
Poll Results
If the election were held today, according to the survey from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by The Times, 51% of likely L.A. County voters would choose Hochman, and 21% would cast a ballot for Gascón. That leaves 28% undecided.
Hochman’s Improved Standing
Hochman has improved his standing since August 18, when the last Times-UC Berkeley poll of the race had the former federal prosecutor winning by 25%.
Gascón’s Response
In an interview Friday, Gascón said he “came from way behind in 2020,” and he anticipates doing so again to win by “a tight margin” next month.
Voter Perceptions
Of those who support Hochman, past president of the L.A. City Ethics Commission and assistant U.S. attorney general, 66% said an “extremely important” factor was the need to “reduce turmoil and bring needed change to the district attorney’s office.”
For Gascón, a former LAPD assistant chief and two-term San Francisco district attorney, 55% of his backers identified “his efforts to increase police accountability” as an “extremely important” factor.
Although 43% of all likely voters surveyed said their overall opinion of Hochman is either “strongly favorable” or “somewhat favorable,” only 23% said the same of the incumbent. About half of those surveyed held unfavorable views of Gascón, echoing polls during the crowded primary earlier this year.
Remaining Undecided Voters
With election day rapidly approaching, many voters remain on the fence about their options: 49% surveyed said they had “no opinion” on Hochman and 26% said the same of Gascón.
Conclusion
The new poll suggests that Hochman’s campaign is gaining momentum, and Gascón may struggle to regain ground. However, as DiCamillo noted, the election is not over yet, and voters may change their minds in the coming weeks.
FAQs
Q: How did Hochman improve his standing?
A: Hochman has improved his standing since August 18, when the last Times-UC Berkeley poll of the race had him winning by 25%. He has also gained traction among voters who are concerned about crime and public safety.
Q: How does Gascón plan to turn the election around?
A: Gascón is focusing on his efforts to increase police accountability and emphasizing that crime is a complex issue that cannot be solely attributed to his policies. He believes that voters will ultimately look beyond the polls and recognize his commitment to public safety.
Q: Will the debate between Hochman and Gascón make a difference in the election?
A: The debate on Tuesday is expected to be an opportunity for both candidates to clarify their positions on key issues and sway undecided voters. However, as Schnur noted, the Prop. 36 numbers in L.A. County suggest that the election is already slipping away from Gascón.
Q: Is it too late for Gascón to turn the election around?
A: While it is not impossible for Gascón to recover, the poll numbers suggest that the election is trending in Hochman’s favor. Gascón would need to significantly alter voter perceptions in the coming weeks to have a chance at re-election.
