Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley is retiring after holding the seat for more than a decade. The six candidates seeking the top job are Chief Deputy District Attorney Jackie Lacey, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and Deputy District Attorneys John Breault, Bobby Grace, Alan Jackson and Danette Myers.

Three are African American –- Grace, Lacey and Meyers –- and two are women. Los Angeles County has never before had a black or female district attorney, so history could be made with this election.

The position is arguably the most powerful job in L.A. County’s criminal justice system, as it oversees the prosecution of 60,000 felons annually and can be a steppingstone to higher office. County voters will cast their votes on June 5.

To win outright, a candidate must get more than 50-percent of the vote. If that doesn’t happen, the top vote-getters will meet in a November runoff.

Today, Dominique moderated a candidate’s forum on KJLH’s Front Page Show in advance of the election with three of the six candidates–Grace, Meyers, and Lacey.

Carmen Trutanich refused to participate, citing that he’d come in October before the general election. Alan Jackson cancelled to attend an early morning breakfast, and John Breault never responded to the request for participation.

Guests:

Jackie Lacey, Chief Deputy District Attorney

Danette Meyers, Senior Deputy District Attorney

Bobby Grace, Deputy District Attorney

The post Election 2012: The Race for District Attorney appeared first on Dominique DiPrima.