theguardian.com
Oakland Recalls Mayor and District Attorney
Oakland voters ousted Mayor Sheng Thao and District Attorney Pamela Price in a recall election driven by concerns over crime and city governance.
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United Kingdom
PoliticsUs PoliticsCrimeCaliforniaGovernanceRecall
Oakland Police DepartmentAlameda County Board Of SupervisorsFoundational Oakland UnitesFbiUc Berkeley’s Goldman School Of Public Policy
Sheng ThaoPamela PricePhilip DreyfussRon ConwayNikki Fortunato Bas
- What were the key issues that fueled the recall campaigns?
- The recalls stemmed from widespread resident frustration over rising crime rates, despite recent decreases in violent crime statistics. Other contributing factors included the city's housing crisis, increasing costs of living, and the loss of its major league sports team.
- Who were the major financial backers of the recall efforts?
- While the campaigns highlighted public dissatisfaction with crime and city governance, they were substantially funded by wealthy individuals like hedge-fund manager Philip Dreyfuss and tech investor Ron Conway.
- What led to the recall of Oakland's mayor and district attorney?
- Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price were recalled in a significant political upset, marking the first time in modern history that both positions faced successful recall campaigns in the city.
- What is the future of the district attorney's office after the recall?
- District Attorney Price, the first Black woman to hold the position, was recalled shortly after taking office despite her campaign promises of criminal justice reform. An interim DA will be appointed by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.
- What were some of the challenges and criticisms faced by Mayor Thao during her tenure?
- Mayor Thao, the first Hmong American mayor of a major US city, faced opposition from the police department and was also under investigation by the FBI, further fueling the recall effort.