Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Acknowledges Recall Outcome, Reflects on Accomplishments and Challenges Ahead
In a significant moment for Oakland, Mayor Sheng Thao publicly accepted the reality that voters have decided to recall her from office. This announcement came after a tense and drawn-out process surrounding the city's recent recall election. For Thao, who has served as Oakland's mayor for just two years, this was a pivotal moment in her political career, one that she approached with a sense of dignity and commitment to the city she has worked tirelessly for.
"It has always been about Oakland, and it will continue to be," Thao expressed in a statement late Friday night, following the results that indicated a decisive outcome. Despite the recall decision, Thao made sure to highlight the strides the city made during her time in office, emphasizing her deep pride in the accomplishments of her administration.
A Record to Be Proud Of
Throughout her tenure, Thao focused on tackling some of the city's most pressing challenges, including rising crime and the dire need for affordable housing. One of her proudest achievements, she said, was the reduction in crime, specifically pointing to a historic 35% drop in homicides during her time in office. Thao strongly believes that these efforts helped make Oakland a safer place for its residents.
In addition to the crime reduction, the mayor took significant steps to address housing affordability, a critical issue in Oakland, which has seen rising rents and a shortage of affordable housing for years. Under her leadership, over 1,500 units of affordable housing were developed, a major victory for the city's working families. Thao believes these accomplishments are not just short-term wins but will positively impact the city's trajectory for generations.
"Our work literally saved lives," Thao declared, emphasizing the importance of the changes she helped bring about. While some of her policies may have been controversial, she remained steadfast in defending her administration’s actions and the tangible progress achieved in her two years at the helm.
Facing the Recall and Public Scrutiny
Despite Thao’s confident defense of her record, the recall was driven by a vocal opposition that blamed her for the city's continued struggles with crime and fiscal challenges. Organizers behind the recall effort argued that her leadership had led to a rise in crime rates, particularly in terms of property crimes and public safety. They also expressed concerns about Oakland’s financial stability, claiming that under Thao’s leadership, the city had found itself in a precarious fiscal position.
Recall proponents made their case by drawing attention to incidents of violence and property damage that had plagued the city in recent years. The economic concerns stemmed from budgetary pressures, which some critics believed were exacerbated by the mayor's policy decisions. These criticisms were central to the recall movement, which gathered momentum as frustration with crime and financial uncertainty reached a peak.
In the face of this opposition, Thao acknowledged the challenges her administration faced but maintained that the steps taken during her time in office laid a solid foundation for future progress. She rejected the idea that her leadership was the cause of the city’s issues, instead framing the recall as a product of the polarized political climate that had gripped Oakland.
The Long Road to Certifying the Results
Thao's acceptance of the recall results came even as the Alameda County Registrar of Voters continued to count ballots, a process that stretched over several days after the election. By Friday night, around 334,000 ballots had been tallied, but approximately 400,000 were still waiting to be counted, making the final result somewhat uncertain at that point.
Alameda County Registrar Tim Dupuis, in an interview with NBC Bay Area, reminded the public that every vote matters, stressing that the process of counting votes was ongoing and would not conclude until all ballots were processed. "We still have half the votes out to count, and, you know, every vote does matter," Dupuis said, underscoring the importance of ensuring every voice was heard.
Despite the ongoing count, Thao recognized that the margin in favor of the recall was too significant to overcome. With 63.85% of the ballots counted in Oakland showing a "Yes" vote to recall her, it seemed increasingly unlikely that the results would shift dramatically once all votes were counted. The final certification of the election results is expected to take place in December, at which point Thao’s formal removal from office will occur.
What Comes Next for Oakland?
Even though the recall has been confirmed in principle, the process of transition remains in flux. Oakland’s city charter dictates that in the event of a mayoral vacancy, the Council President steps in as interim mayor. Currently, that role is held by Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas. However, her own political future is now tied to the outcome of another election—she is a candidate for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.
As of the latest updates, Bas is trailing in her race for the Board of Supervisors, with just 46% of the vote. Should Bas win her election, Oakland would face another layer of complexity, as the city council would have to elect a new Council President. This uncertainty creates a challenging political environment for Oakland, as it braces for a period of transition and leadership change.
Complicating matters further, Bas’ potential departure could trigger a shift in the power structure at City Hall, with significant implications for the city's governance and future direction. This scenario underscores the uncertainty that will likely dominate Oakland politics in the coming months.
A City at a Crossroads
The recall of Mayor Thao represents a critical moment for Oakland, a city facing a crossroads in terms of leadership, public safety, and financial stability. The outcome of the election may signal the beginning of a new chapter for the city, one that will likely involve a re-examination of the policies that have shaped its recent history.
For Thao, the recall is a blow, but one she is facing with grace and resolve. She remains committed to her vision for Oakland, even as she steps away from office. "It isn’t about me. It never has been. It has always been about Oakland," she reflected, reaffirming her belief in the city’s potential despite the challenges it faces.
The coming months will reveal how Oakland moves forward, how the city navigates this leadership transition, and whether new leadership can build on the progress made under Thao’s administration or will take a different direction altogether.
As Oakland continues to grapple with these challenges, the city’s residents and leaders alike must work together to address the issues that matter most—public safety, affordable housing, and financial stability—ensuring that the future of Oakland is one that meets the needs and aspirations of its diverse population.
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