Gascon’s campaign dismisses San Francisco officials’ endorsement of Lacey in LA DA race

Noting San Francisco voters recently elected public defender Chesa Boudin as district attorney instead of Mayor London Breed’s endorsed candidate, former San Francisco DA George Gascon’s campaign shrugged off Breed’s endorsement of Los Angeles County DA Jackie Lacey’s reelection.

Boudin’s victory over Breed’s endorsed candidate, Suzy Loftus in the San Francisco race “begs the question why Angelenos would care about her pick on district attorney in Los Angeles,” Max Szabo, a spokesman for Gascon, said in an interview Friday.

The race for LA County district attorney ramped up last Thursday when Breed and San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera endorsed Los Angeles County incumbent Lacey in a joint announcement Thursday afternoon.

“Jackie Lacey is the only candidate for LA County district attorney who has the background, proven track record, and vision needed to continue creating positive change by leading LA County into a new era of smart criminal justice for all,” read Herrera’s statement, which added Lacey “knows how to balance reforming the system while ensuring that violent criminals are off the street and neighborhoods are kept safe.”

“She’s effectively navigated the delicate balance between keeping our communities safe and enacting meaningful reform to our criminal justice system,” said Breed in a statement about Lacey. The mayor cited a mental health diversion program launched by Lacey this year as well as Lacey’s work on changes in the cash bail system and expungment of “thousands of nonviolent marijuana-related arrests.”

“I know she’s the most qualified and effective candidate for LA County district attorney,” Breed added.

Hours before Breed’s and Herrera’s announcement, another LA DA candidate, Deputy District Attorney Joseph Iniguez dropped out of the race to endorse Gascon and co-chair his campaign. In an interview last week, Iniguez urged Lacey’s other opponents in the race, Deputy DA Richard Ceballos and former public defender Rachel A. Rossi, to work together to unseat Lacey.