Progressive prosecutor in county where Laken Riley was found dead by illegal immigrants loses re-election

A progressive prosecutor in Georgia county where Laken Riley was found murdered by an illegal immigrant lost her re-election bid.

District Attorney for Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties Deborah Gonzalez was lost in a landslide on Tuesday. The incumbent president lost with 75% of the votes to Republican Kalki Yalamanchili.

Gonzalez was elected in 2020 in an electoral bid funded by progressive donors who pushed for criminal justice reform in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests and the discourage the police movement.

Riley was a nursing student at Augusta University and was found dead on February 22 near a lake on the University of Georgia campus. An illegal immigrant has been charged with her murder.

MURDER IN LAEKEN RILEY: SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IN GEORGIA STUDENT DEATHS ASKED TO HIDE CERTAIN EVIDENCE

At the time of her election to the top spot in the criminal justice system, Gonzalez defended herself as “unapologetically” progressive.

“I think part of this is because I am outspoken, and I do so unapologetically a democratand I consider myself a progressive prosecutor,” Gonzalez said of the criticism.

SUSPECT IN LAKEN RILEY’S MURDER HAS BEEN INDICATED

“There are a lot of prosecutors who don’t like that word ‘progressive,’ but to me it means we need to look at this differently. … We must always ask ourselves, ‘Is this in the interest of justice? ?’” she said.

After Jose Ibarra, an illegal migrant from Venezuela, was charged with murder, residents turned to elected officials for answers.

The Georgia Legislature proposed HB 1105 after her death, and Republican Governor Brian Kemp signed it into law in May 2024.

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“Georgians have witnessed the disastrous impact lawlessness has on communities across the country,” Kemp said at the signing.

“Thanks to the work of our legislative partners in the General Assembly, we are able to once again send the message that such lawlessness will be no safe haven in Georgia,” he said. “I am proud to sign legislation that will boost our law enforcement recruitment, make our communities safer, and provide our justice system with even stronger tools to bring violent offenders to justice.”

The Murder of Laken Riley and the 2024 Presidential Election:

Former President Donald Trump blamed it Biden-Harris administration and their border policies for the murder of the Augusta University student.

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In turn, Harris has criticized Republicans for turning against the bipartisan border security deal after Trump rejected it.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on our Fox News Digital election hub.