DA UNION VICE PRES. ERIC SIDDALL CHALLENGES GEORGE GASCÓN IN DA CONTEST

Los Angeles Association of Deputy District Attorneys’ Immediate Past Vice President and Current Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Formally Launches Bid to Defeat Gascón, Says, "The Time for Real Change–Actually Fighting Crime and Restoring the Public Trust with the D.A.'s Office–is Now"

LOS ANGELES, CA — Eric Sapetto Siddall, the immediate past vice president of the Los Angeles Association of Deputy District Attorneys and a current Los Angeles County deputy district attorney, officially entered the 2024 race for Los Angeles County District Attorney on Monday. Siddall has served for nearly a decade as the union’s vice president and as a director, and just last week, stepped down from the post in order to declare his candidacy.

Siddall, a labor leader, openly gay Latino father, Democrat, and career prosecutor, is challenging the incumbent District Attorney George Gascón on a platform of advocating for responsible reform while prioritizing public safety. He vows to combat gun violence and fight crime, restore competency and trust in the district attorney’s office, and institute sustainable, responsible reform.

"We need to advance a violence reduction strategy focused on holding the most violent criminals accountable, while recognizing the potential for rehabilitation. We need to develop an infrastructure to deal with our mentally ill and homeless populations that does not involve cycled-incarceration, but also recognizes that releasing people back onto the street without a plan is a danger to everyone, including the defendant," said Siddall.

He added, "Too many working families, seniors, women, young people and marginalized communities are living in fear for their safety. Gun violence is rampant. We are facing a homelessness crisis. And the morale among frontline prosecutors and police alike — the people we depend on to keep us all safe — is at a historic low.

"The time for real change–actually fighting crime and restoring the public trust with the DA's office—is now.

"As district attorney, I'll transform the office by empowering frontline prosecutors and having their back so they can do the job they were hired to do. I have sounded the alarm on the staffing crisis that has left fewer prosecutors working in L.A. than at any other time in my 16 year career. Under my leadership, I will work to fully fund the district attorney’s office, partner with local community groups, police, and sheriffs to fight back against gangs, crime, and illegal guns; collaborate with county leaders to address homelessness; and prioritize mental health, real housing solutions, drug diversion and addiction services. I’ll fight to enact common sense criminal justice reforms, and focus on ones that are evidence-based, not based on ideology. I’ll work to improve our system of justice for all people and all communities. As a law enforcement leader in Los Angeles County, I'll make it clear to any and all criminals that the George Gascón party is over.

“The People of Los Angeles need a reliable partner in the district attorney’s office.

"Together, we can finally move L.A. County into a new direction with safer neighborhoods and healthier communities, because Angelenos deserve nothing less."

While the Los Angeles County District Attorney's race appears non-partisan on the ballot, registered Democrats make up 53.5% of voters. Registered Republicans make up only 17.2% of the county's electorate. Siddall emerges as the most formidable Democrat taking on Gascón.

ABOUT ERIC SAPETTO SIDDALL

The son of an Argentine immigrant mother who served as a United States Civil Rights Commissioner and ran a law practice catering to the Latino community, and a father who was a deputy public defender, Eric Sapetto Siddall grew up in a home that valued public service.

He served as Vice President of the Los Angeles Association of Deputy District Attorneys for nearly a decade, as well as a board member of the victims’ rights group, Justice For Murdered Children. Eric is also designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California. He is assigned to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Crimes Against Peace Officers Division. Eric's past assignments include prosecuting gang homicides, domestic violence, and sex crimes, including crimes against children. He has tried over 80 jury trials.

Eric has written extensively on California criminal justice issues. He has trained prosecutors and police officers through programs directed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the United States Department of Justice. He is a past board member and vice president of the Latino Prosecutors Association. Aside from being a prosecutor, Eric serves on the board of the Galileo Foundation, an organization focused on supporting the work of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Science. Eric received his Juris Doctorate from Fordham University School of Law and studied philosophy at Boston College.

Eric lives in Highland Park with his partner and son.

For more information please visit EricSiddall.com.

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ERIC SAPETTO SIDDALL FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY 2024; FPPC #

Eric Sapetto Siddall for District Attorney 2024
515 S. Figueroa St.
Suite 1110
Los Angeles, CA 90071
United States