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Is the era of progressive prosecutors coming to an end?
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Is the era of progressive prosecutors coming to an end?

We all know the presidential election is coming up, but for a few major cities, a crucial negative vote — for the office of the attorney general — could have a major effect on the day-to-day safety of their citizens.

In Los Angeles, America’s second largest city, voters will decide if they do banished radical prosecutor George Gascón. Gascón barely made it through his first term, surviving two recall efforts based on technical aspects. Rising crime rates and a general sense of disorder have led even progressive Angelenos to say enough is enough.

Gascón opposes him Nathan Hochmana former federal prosecutor who has vowed to pursue policies that treat those who commit crimes as criminals. Currently POLLGascón leads Hochman by 24 points. In a last minute Hail Mary, Gascón decided to support the re-conviction and clemency for the notorious Menendez brothers, convicted of their parents’ brutal murders, despite their claims being repeatedly rejected by the courts. Election Day will decide whether Los Angeles is ready to start rebuilding.

Meanwhile, heading north in California, another critical chief prosecutor is on the ballot: Oakland’s Pamela Price. Price, along with Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, are facing a the recall of the elections after only two years in office. Many Oakland voters expressed the same buyer’s remorse as their neighbors across the bay in San Francisco, which recalled progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin after several years in office amid rising crime and disorder.

Oakland has always been a tough town. Longtime Alameda County Prosecutor Nancy O’Malley kept crime under control by using sensible law enforcement tactics, even with limited resources. Price came into office in 2022 promising utopian reforms that largely involved ignoring crime and criminals, apparently out of a desire to Remove the criminal justice system—and, in fact, her own office. Not surprisingly, crime has increasedand Oakland’s poorest citizens suffered the most. How bad was Price? The local NAACP chapter, religious leaders and even those on the left San Francisco Chronicle everyone is calling for her removal. If Price is recalled, the board of supervisors will appoint her replacement.

Chicago, the nation’s third-largest city, is also electing a new chief prosecutor. After eight chaotic years in office, with ascension crime ratesthe allegations of ethical and professional ineptitude and Jussie Smollett Disaster Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has read the writing on the wall and announced she will not run for re-election. Adding a final insult to Chicago’s injuries, the federally funded National Academy of Sciences recently invited Foxx to be opening speaker to its program exploring valuable prosecution strategies in America.

The contest to replace Foxx dimple Democrat Eileen O’Neill Burke against Republican Bob Fioretti, with Burke overwhelmingly favored to win in deep-blue Chicago. The extreme left wing of the Democratic Party had a lot criticized Burke eager to impose policies of order. But Chicagoans can welcome someone who can bring a little law and order to their lawless streets, all the same Baltimoreans chose Ivan Bates as chief prosecutor after the disastrous and violent reign of Marilyn Mosby.

Gascón, Price and Foxx all entered office as self-styled “progressive prosecutors,” promising to keep crime down through the illogical strategy of not prosecuting. Everyone enjoyed generously FUNDING from George Soros and his activist organizations. Each saw an increase in crime in their cities and the citizens suffered. Is the era of progressive prosecutors passing now? The voters will let us know soon.

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

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