DA Jackie Lacey facing more endorsement fallout amid heated re-election bid
Recent protests against Jackie Lacey have centered on her failing to prosecute police for fatal shootings and other on-duty uses of force.
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A coalition of African American civic leaders and organizations are calling for more elected officials to withdraw their endorsement of Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, who is fighting for a third term against George Gascon.
Recent protests against Lacey sparked by the death of George Floyd have centered on her failing to prosecute police for fatal shootings and other on-duty uses of force.
During her tenure, she has also received heavy criticism for the racial disparity in county jails and high incarceration rates.
RELATED: Hundreds gather in downtown LA to protest DA Jackie Lacey
The incumbent is fighting for a third term this November in a runoff against Gascon, a former San Francisco D.A. who once served in the highest ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department. Gascon is campaigning as a progressive candidate.
The coalition on Monday urged Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Attorney Mike Feuer, City Councilmembers Herb Wesson, David Ryu and Paul Krekorian to withdraw their endorsements. On occasion this past week, Garcetti has seemed to back away from his previous endorsement, saying he is looking at it closely.
On Saturday, Rep. Adam Schiff and Assemblywoman Laura Friedman pulled back their endorsement.
"This is a rare time in our nation's history. We have a responsibility to make profound changes to end systemic racism & reform criminal justice," Schiff tweeted. "@LauraFriedman43 and I no longer feel our endorsement of Jackie Lacey a year ago has the same meaning. We have decided to withdraw it."
"We believe that they heard the voices of the thousands of people who are out in front of her office every single Wednesday, demanding that she go," said Melina Abdullah, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter L.A. chapter. "We believe that they've also heard the voices of the families of those who've been killed by police who are saying Jackie Lacey must go."
Lacey has defended her record, saying it comes down to evidence. In a statement, Lacey said, "I am proud of my record of taking on systematic racism and reforming criminal justice - from bail reform, to reducing juvenile cases by nearly 50%, to increasing our office's focus on mental health treatment instead of incarceration. I am confident that these achievements will be endorsed by the voters when placed next to my opponent's disastrous record as San Francisco D.A."
Meanwhile, Gascon has gotten endorsements from Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.
BLM LA does not endorse political candidates and is keeping the focus on those killed by law enforcement.
