In the face of an ongoing FBI investigation and a tech-funded recall effort, Oakland’s Mayor Sheng Thao is working to reassure voters that the city is making progress.
Thao’s political journey began under challenging circumstances. Her narrow win in the 2022 election was seen as a victory for progressive values, reflecting Oakland’s leftist roots. Elected as a daughter of Hmong refugees and a domestic violence survivor, she promised to advocate for the most vulnerable residents in a city grappling with the influence of wealthy tech billionaires.
However, her leadership faced immediate scrutiny. Just after her inauguration, calls for a recount began to surface, questioning the legitimacy of her election. Less than two years into her term, she found herself the target of a recall campaign – the first of its kind in Oakland in over a century. Funded by affluent tech and crypto figures, this movement was fueled by voter frustration over longstanding issues like crime, homelessness, and infrastructure failures.
Pamela Drake, a veteran activist who has lived in Oakland since 1968, notes that the recall reflects a larger national anxiety. “This recall is a reaction during a time when the whole country is in somewhat of a state of reaction, when the whole world is sort of chaotic,” she says.
The city, known as the birthplace of Kamala Harris, has recently been labeled a site of dysfunction amid rising crime rates. The ongoing housing crisis has led to widespread encampments, acclaimed restaurants shuttering due to crime and cost increases, and the departure of the last major professional sports team from the city.
“We’re fed up with crime and homelessness,” explains Dan Lindheim, a former Oakland city administrator now teaching at UC Berkeley. “People want accountability, and this recall is a symbolic way of saying, ‘We don’t like what’s happening, so heads should roll.’”
Despite Thao’s attempts to address crime, critics point out that issues existed before she took office. Homicides surged under her predecessor, and the drought of policing ability had persisted well beyond her administration. “This whole movement seems more driven by emotion than rational decision-making,” says Lindheim.
One of the notable events coinciding with the recall was a tragic mass shooting at a Juneteenth celebration, further compounding the city’s challenges. The day after, an FBI raid on Thao’s home raised further concerns, although the agency has neither confirmed nor denied any wrongdoing on her part.
In a recent interview, Thao asserted that she is just starting to make changes in Oakland. “We’re doing all this great work,” she said. “The first year was about figuring out our challenges and now we’re seeing positive outcomes.”
At community meetings, Thao and her supporters have cited statistics that suggest crime, particularly violent crime, is on the decline in Oakland. The Major Cities Chiefs Association reported a 17% drop in homicides for the first half of the year compared to 2023, with other crime categories also seeing reductions.
However, detractors argue that discontent surrounding crime and homelessness should not be solely attributed to Thao. The city’s issues have deep-rooted origins, and economic pressures facing Oakland surged long before her tenure.
Thao has also faced backlash for her decisions concerning homelessness and policing. She has intensified efforts to remove encampments and secured additional funding for policing, which some of her progressive supporters oppose.
Amidst these issues, the recall movement has gained momentum, fueled by financial backing from wealthy contributors including hedge-fund manager Philip Dreyfuss and tech investor Ron Conway.
Recent statements from prominent Democratic lawmakers, including Congresswoman Barbara Lee and State Senator Nancy Skinner, have criticized the recall, emphasizing that voters should decide leadership through elections, not wealthy donors.
Thao continues to rally support, attending public meetings to discuss community safety and progress. At a town hall event, she addressed crowd concerns about crime and proposed improvements in public safety systems, including hiring more 911 operators and reinstating crime prevention initiatives.
Despite her efforts, many community members remain skeptical. Linda St. Julian, 75, lamented the city’s declining state and indicated her support for the recall, stating, “I’m just upset with how nasty the city has gotten… I’ll be dead before they fix things.”
37-year-old Laux Williams expressed a similar sentiment, reflecting that the last mayor who seemed to improve conditions was Ron Dellums, serving from 2007-2011. “I’m just waiting on a change,” they said, reflecting the frustration felt by many Oakland residents during these tumultuous times.
