Early results suggest that Oakland voters chose to recall Mayor Sheng Thao and that residents countywide in Alameda voted to remove District Attorney Pamela Price, which some say reflects a desire to get tougher on crime.
Supporters of the recall efforts said they were mobilized by a concern for public safety—citing drug addiction, theft, homelessness, and other issues.
Frustration mounted over the past few years as increases in motor vehicle thefts, shoplifting, and other crimes have affected the community.
Businesses and restaurants—including Denny’s, In-N-Out, Starbucks, and others—fled the area after serial offenders negatively affected their ability to protect employees and customers, according to statements from companies that left this year.
Thao’s supporters—including an organization known as Oaklanders Defending Democracy—said the recall could prove detrimental to the city.
They expressed concern with the process and questioned the impact of the disruption on city leadership.
“This recall threatens to undo the strides we’ve made, jeopardizing the city’s future at a time when stable, consistent leadership is more important than ever,” the campaign wrote. “Oaklanders deserve consistent leadership that can build on the work already in motion, not political turmoil that sets the city back.”
If the recall is finalized, the city council president will take the mayor’s place until a special election gives voters a choice—which by law must occur within 120 days.
District Attorney Recalled
About 65 percent of voters chose to recall Price, according to preliminary results.If her recall is finalized, the county’s board of supervisors will appoint a district attorney in the first months of the new year—with Price excluded from consideration.
Voters will get to choose in 2026 if they want to keep the appointed individual or choose a new district attorney.
Price faced mounting criticism, including from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, after she allegedly failed to utilize resources made available by the state to prosecute criminal defendants.
One organizer said the successful recall is a step in the right direction.
Price warned in recent weeks that her recall could destabilize the county.