This week, Gwyn Gabe issued a response to Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton on behalf of the recall effort.
Gabe, who is a democrat, took issue with Becton calling the recall effort “politically motivated” and instead said it has to do with Becton’s performance and not doing her job. He issued a letter (below) explaining why Becton should be recalled — it served as their response. On March 18, 2025, Becton was served with the notice to recall.
On March 21, District Attorney Becton issued the following response to the recall effort:
“The recall against DA Becton is an effort to undermine the will of the people of Contra Costa County. In 2018 and 2022, the voters decisively chose DA Becton because they agree with and trust her steadfast dedication to public safety, fairness and justice for all.
DA Becton has taken bold actions to protect our communities – aggressively prosecuting violent offenders, addressing organized retail theft, human trafficking, hate crimes, and eliminating backlogs of untested sexual assault kits. Becton expanded victim support services and pioneered proactive crime prevention programs, to reduce crime before it happens. This recall is not about safety, it’s a politically motivated attack that misrepresents her record and undermines the will of Contra Costa voters. DA Becton’s approach balances accountability with smart, evidence based policies that reduce crime and keep our neighborhoods safe. DA Becton remains committed to justice, transparency, and creating communities where all residents can thrive. We urge you to reject the recall and stand with DA Becton in continuing to build a safer, more just Contra Costa County. NO on the recall. Let’s move forward together. – Diana Becton”
On April 15, Gabe issued the following response:
Here is the text of the letter:
Dear District Attorney Diana Becton
“This letter serves as our response to our Notice of Intent to Recall you from office.
Your claim that the Recall is a politically motivated attack against you is false. I am a democrat, just as you are, and I even voted for you when you ran for District Attorney in 2017. I believed that you would excel as the District Attorney for Contra Costa County, but you have proven that not to be true. The recall effort against you is not about your political affiliation; it is solely focused on your abyssal performance in office. Your failure to enforce our laws has increased crime and endangered our community.
You publicly opposed Proposition 36 which created felony accountability for drug and theft offenses, proving your troubling alignment with criminal interests. Proposition 36 was passed in Contra Costa County by an overwhelming majority of the voters. Clearly, your policies which encouraged crime are not in line with the will of the voters in Contra Costa County. Additionally, your lack of transparency concerning crime rates in our county and your efforts to keep criminals out of jail to commit more crimes have left many residents disillusioned. We stand with crime victims who have been victimized during your administration, who are frustrated with the lack of accountability for criminals, and who are hopeless in their quest for justice. And we stand with the businesses owners who face rampant on-going thefts and burglaries from repeat offenders while you ignore the issue.
Your disgraceful treatment of my family, and the families of other crime victims, violated our constitutional Marsy’s Law Rights and failed to provide justice we rightfully deserve. However, our decision to pursue this recall is not driven by a desire for revenge. Our only goal is to ensure that you are removed from office and prevented from continuing to deny justice to our families in the future. We deserve a District Attorney who shows compassion for victims while holding criminals accountable for their actions. We stand united to ensure that your time in office comes to an end.
Sincerely,
Gwyn Gabe
Father of Alexis Gabe
Organizer & Proponent for the Recall of District Attorney Diana Becton
Once the recall petition is approved by Contra Costa County, the proponents will have 160 days to gather over 70,000 signatures. The recall group said Tuesday they are coordinating event dates and locations to begin collecting signatures to recall Diana Becton.
Becton now becomes the latest District Attorney in California to be hit with a recall. Most recently, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price was recalled while in 2022, San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin was recalled. In Los Angeles, George Gascón lost his reelection bid to Nathan Hochman.
Previous
- March 24 – Video: Recall District Attorney Diana Becton Press Conference
- March 18 – Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton Served With Notice of Intent to Recall
- Jan 23, 2025 – DA Concludes Investigation into Accessory After the Fact Charge in the Alexis Gabe Case
- July 23, 2023 – Contra Costa District Attorney Recall Effort Set to Begin?
- Dec 30, 2023 – Letter: DA Becton, Marsy’s Law and Alexandrea Sweitzer
- Dec 8, 2023 – Recall District Attorney Diana Becton Group Launched
