Los Angeles Prosecutors Endorse Eric Siddall for DA

The prosecutors union – the Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) –  has endorsed its former vice-president Eric Siddall to be the next District Attorney of Los Angeles County.

“Eric Siddall is not new to this political battle; he’s been waging it for years,” wrote the ADDA board of directors.  “We believe that he has the necessary political acumen, policy depth, and prosecutorial experience to take the fight directly to George Gascón this November, to beat him in the general election, and, once elected, to move the District Attorney’s Office forward in a new, constructive, and modern direction.”

Siddall was moved by the vote of confidence from his fellow deputies:

“Receiving this endorsement from my fellow members in the Association of Deputy District Attorneys is deeply meaningful to me. These dedicated prosecutors show true allegiance to justice and public safety and I am honored to have their support,” Siddall said.  “This recognition of the strength and momentum behind our campaign furthers my resolve to keep fighting to improve public safety and tackle violent crime in Los Angeles County. Together, we will create a brighter future and safer environment for all.”

Siddall, 48, has been a deputy district attorney for 16 years and served as vice-president of the ADDA for ten.  He has handled high-profile prosecutions, including the re-trial of cop-killer and notoriously brutal serial San Fernando Velly burglar Kenneth Gay, who shot and killed LAPD Officer Paul Verna as part of an attempt to cover up the crime spree.

Also, Siddall has been actively involved in the internal opposition to Gascon, successfully suing him – as part of the ADDA – to force him to abide by state sentencing laws.

Considering four of its members are vying for the office, it was somewhat unclear if the ADDA would be making any endorsement at all prior to the March primary. What has never been in doubt is that the group would – in the November runoff – endorse essentially anyone but Gascon.

The endorsement announcement, while full-throated for Siddall, did include mentions of the other deputy district attorneys running.  Jon Hatami was called out for his “passion, hustle, grit, and commitment to child victims” and John McKinney was praised for his “talent in court and eloquence on the debate stage.”

For his part, Hatami is taking the announcement in stride. 

“I texted Eric this morning and congratulated him. He is a great prosecutor. I emailed the ADDA board as well and conveyed my appreciation,” Hatami said.  “I look forward to working with Eric, the ADDA board and all my fellow DDA’s when I become the next Los Angeles County District Attorney.”

The fourth member candidate – Maria Ramirez – was held out for extensive praise in the endorsement letter, appearing to point to her coming in second during the months-long endorsement process that involved face-to-face meetings with seven candidates, comments from the the entire membership, in-depth backgrounding, and taking into account the political realities of the race.

“Ramirez is an especially strong contender,” the board noted.  “The Los Angeles Times has called her ‘far and away Gascón’s most experienced opponent. She has spent thirty years in the District Attorney’s Office and she has led it, admirably, at the highest levels.”

Like Hatami, Ramirez will continue to vigorously forge ahead with her campaign.

“Although I respect the ADDA’s decision to endorse their former vice president, I am committed and looking forward to winning the endorsement of L.A. County voters in the March primary,” Ramirez said.

As to how much this will impact the race, the endorsement of the ADDA could play an important role.  There are ten candidates challenging Gascon and this should at least make Siddall stand out from the crowded field going into the March primary.

What polling that has been available has been a bit all over the place regarding the challengers.  Gascon led all the polls, but one poll put Nathan Hochman in ahead, another put Siddall in the top spot, while a third showed Ramirez as the leading contender.

The polls do agree on one thing, though:  Gascon’s position is terribly weak, pulling only about 17% of the vote in March, having extremely high negatives, and that pretty much the Ficus tree in the den you keep forgetting to water – let alone any of the other actual human lawyer candidates – would beat Gascon head-to-head in November.

Gascon himself did not get the endorsement for a number of reasons.  First, the ADDA has sued him for ethical violations a number of times.  Second, his relationship with his office staff is, shall we say, rocky…nah, let’s say more: abysmal, terrible, fraught, and, – on George’s part – abusive, insulting, and downright stupid/nasty.

And, finally, he didn’t get it for a very simple reason:  

He didn’t even have the spine (or courtesy – they are his employees, after all) to ask.

For more info about Siddall, see here:  https://www.ericforda.com/ 

To read the entire ADDA endorsement statement, see here: https://www.laadda.com/2023/12/20/adda-board-endorses-eric-siddall-for-district-attorney/