Eight candidates squared off at the Democratic debate hosted by the Santa Monica Democratic Club at the main branch of Santa Monica Library on Nov. 15. The Club even had to switch locations from a smaller room at Virginia Avenue Park due to demand, which counted more than 250 in person. Another 300-plus attended over Zoom.

The event featured the race’s Democratic candidates, including Deputy District Attorneys Maria Ramirez, John McKinney, Jonathan Hatami, Eric Siddal, Los Angeles Superior Court Judges Craig Mitchell and Debra Archuleta, and former assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Chemerinsky.

In a press release, Nathan Hochman stated he was not invited because he is registered as an independent, though it should be noted that Hochman was the Republican Party’s nominee for State Attorney General last year.

The public’s perception of rising crime was the main focus, with mental health and the city’s homeless crisis being the other two hot topics.

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon was the main target and denied that his progressive policies had led to an increase in crime. In fact, Gascon called criticism of him “Fake news.” He said crime has risen nationwide since he was elected three years ago, but that “Violent crime is actually down in L.A. over the last year.”

Archuleta said Gascon wants to argue that crime statistics are down. “That might be because he has over 13,000 cases sitting on his desk that have not yet been filed,” she said.

One of the first questions asked at the beginning of the debate was if the candidates consider Los Angeles a safer place since Gascon took office.

“People right now don’t feel safe. That’s a real problem,” said Chemerinsky, “I think people need to feel confident that the law’s working for them, that the law’s being applied fairly and justly. We’ve lost that sense of confidence.”

Other candidates pointed to the rise in violent crimes and retail theft like the smash-and-grab robberies that have been happening across Los Angeles.

McKinney said violent crime is up. “You can see it, you can hear it, you can feel it. Crime is up, that’s why you’re all here tonight.”

“We see the failures of these policies every day,” said Siddal, “We see them on the streets, we see them in the courtroom. There is a way of reforming our system, but also keeping you safe.”

Gascon stated that public safety is about holding people accountable with “Thoughtful policies” and that sending people to prison cannot be the only answer.

Mitchell stated that his time working on Skid Row made him realize that criminals need a place for reform and that Los Angeles has become less safe over the last three years.

In October, L.A. County enacted a zero bail policy that eliminates the need for cash bail while evaluating the severity of a crime, a suspect’s risk to the public as well as any repeat offenses.

The policy has been controversial with critics. Ramirez stated that the implementation of zero-bail is “Flawed” due to just looking at the charge itself, and not based on a “complete review” of the arrestee.

The last day to vote in person for the 2024 California Primary is March 5. The top two candidates will move on to the runoff on November 3.

Photo by Jerry Rubin. Provided to Westside Voice by Democratic Club President Jon Katz