Kamala Harris Endorses Gascon to be L.A. DA

California Democratic Senator Kamala Harris today endorsed George Gascon to be Los Angeles County’s next District Attorney.

“George Gascon is a proven leader of national significance when it comes to reforming our criminal justice system,” Harris said in a statement.

“As DA of San Francisco, George led fights to reform the Three Strikes Law, decrease the state prison population and get people convicted of nonviolent offenses greater opportunities to get their lives back on track. As DA of LA County, I know George Gascon will work every day to keep our communities safe and demand real accountability from our justice our justice system and real justice for every Angeleno.”

Gascon, a former Assistant Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, said in response that “Harris’ dogged advocacy ‘for the people’ of California shows she has never lost sight of what it means to be a prosecutor. It means seeking justice, taking on powerful people and entrenched institutions, and working to lift up those of us who are less fortunate. Whether it’s the big banks that steered us into a crisis or President Trump, her energy and courage are ensuring the wealthy and well-connected are held accountable. I’m incredibly honored to have her support.”

Gascon grew up in Los Angeles after his family immigrated from Cuba. An army veteran, he served as a Los Angeles Police Department Officer for 30 years, rising to the rank of Assistant Chief of Operations. In 2006 he became Chief of Police in Mesa, Arizona, where he stood up to the anti-immigrant policies of then Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. In 2009, then-San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom appointed Gasco Chief of Police and turned to Gasco again in 2011 when he tapped him to be District Attorney to fill the seat vacated by Harris, who had been elected Attorney General