Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party voted to endorse George Gascon for District Attorney. In response, Rachel Rossi issued the following statement:

“Tuesday the Los Angeles County Democratic Party sent a message that it no longer supports the status quo.

“One in three people in our jails suffers from mental illness. The homeless population in our jails has risen by 41%. Almost 80% of our jail population is Black and Brown. We are criminalizing mental health, we are punishing poverty, and we are ignoring racial disparities.

“This is not who we are. Now, L.A. must choose who we want to become.

“The Democratic Party is the voice of the people-not of big money, corporations or the big guy. We are the voice of diversity, vision, values, and justice for all.

“I reflect the diversity of the party, as the first Afro Latina to ever run for L.A. County DA. I reflect the progressive values of the party as the first former public defender to ever run for L.A. County DA. I reflect the people-powered roots of the Party as the candidate who has practiced in L.A.’s county and federal courtrooms and fought for Angelenos against a broken system.

“And I reflect the intellect and innovation of the Party as the only candidate who’s worked on national criminal justice reform, and who has proposed the clearest, boldest and most reformative policy platform.

“I am running for District Attorney because L.A. deserves a bold transformative prosecutor, and we cannot wait any longer.”