With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Los Angeles district attorney race: Democrats, Republicans choose sides in non-partisan battle
Chief Deputy DA Jackie Lacey (R) and Deputy DA Alan Jackson.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC; votealanjackson.com
)
The race for Los Angeles district attorney is officially non-partisan, but there are a Democrat and a Republican in the run-off, and the parties are weighing in anyway.
The Los Angeles County Democratic Party on Thursday announced it's endorsing Chief Deputy District Attorney Jackie Lacey, a registered Democrat who now serves as second-in-command in the office.
“Jackie Lacey has the prosecutorial and executive experience to be a first-class District Attorney. She will demand that L.A.’s criminal justice system uphold the Democratic values of justice and equality for all,” said Eric C. Bauman, chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.
Lacey finished first in the primary, with 32 percent of the vote. She’ll face Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson in November — 24 percent of voters backed him.
Sponsored message
Jackson, a registered Republican, has received the support of the California Republican Party and the state’s top GOP elected official, Board of Equalization Vice Chair Michelle Steel.
“Alan has been battle-tested and will serve Los Angeles County well as our next District Attorney,” Steele said in a statement released by the campaign. Many other Republicans back Jackson, including L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonavich and State Sen. Tony Strickland.
One Republican who doesn’t support Jackson is incumbent DA Steve Cooley, who declined to seek another term. He supports Lacey, citing her management experience.
One key to the race will be labor union support. The union that represents nearly 1,000 front-line prosecutors backed Deputy DA Danette Meyers in the primary. In the past, the union has been critical of Lacey’s association with Cooley, whom some view as anti-union.
More than 20 police unions representing small cities in L.A. County support Jackson, a well-known prosecutor who works in the major crimes division. The bigger and more powerful Los Angeles Police Protective League and Association of Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriffs have yet to endorse. Both could pour substantial resources into political advertising for the candidate of their choice.
Another question in the race for DA: Who, if anyone, will L.A. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich support? He garnered 22 percent of the vote in his primary bid for the office. Trutanich may be reluctant to back Lacey because Cooley backs her. Trutanich and Cooley, once political allies, have had a falling out. Jackson’s campaign, on the other hand, was highly critical of Trutanich during the primary.
Both candidates are furiously fundraising. One political consultant said a viable fall campaign for district attorney would cost at least $1 million.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
