Progressive prosecutors are under siege all along the West Coast, as voters in deep-blue metro areas express their frustration with more lenient approaches to crime.
The trend started with the 2022 recall ouster of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, which criminal justice reformers once labeled a pandemic-induced anomaly unlikely to repeat in other liberal-leaning bastions.
But this week’s district attorney election in the ultra-liberal Portland area made it clear the sentiment isn’t a one-off. Progressive District Attorney Mike Schmidt was defeated by tough-on-crime challenger Nathan Vasquez, a prosecutor in Schmidt’s own office and an independent who was previously a Republican.
Similar voter frustration has emerged in California, with Alameda’s DA Pamela Price facing a recall, and Los Angeles’ George Gascón fighting for reelection.
Altogether, the hurdles facing progressive prosecutors on the “left coast” illustrate a backswing in public sentiment and perceptions of crime since the 2020 killing of George Floyd prompted a national reckoning on racism and conversation around the costs of tough-on-crime politics.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/23/progressive-da-west-coast-00159559
Watch California.
Washington State too...
“Driver accused of killing WA trooper gets bail reduced from $1M to $100k”
(snip) Investigators say on March 2, Benitez Santana crashed his car into Trooper Gadd and killed him....
Benitez Santana also has multiple previous convictions for driving with a suspended license, multiple tickets for speeding (including going 49 mph over the speed limit), and multiple domestic violence protection orders...According to an ICE official, Benitez Santana entered the U.S. without admission or parole by an immigration officer. (HE’S AN ILLEGAL!)
https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/trooper-gadd-death-suspect-bail
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