Oakland, California, is once again at the center of political dysfunction, with two of its top officials—Mayor Sheng Thao and District Attorney Pamela Price—facing recall efforts. Citizens are fed up with crime, corruption, and the sheer lack of accountability. It’s a familiar tale in cities run by progressives, where promises of reform somehow always lead to more failure.
Let’s start with Mayor Sheng Thao, whose home was raided by the FBI earlier this year as part of a federal investigation. The investigation involves an Oakland family that conveniently donated to her campaign. Voters have every reason to want her out. Scandals have piled up since the beginning of her term, and her inability to lead is glaring.
This isn’t just some small, symbolic recall. The last time Oakland attempted to recall a sitting mayor was over 100 years ago, and that attempt didn’t even succeed. If Thao is removed in November, it will reshape Oakland’s political landscape. Given the city’s rising crime and economic troubles, a shake-up might be exactly what it needs.
Thao, unsurprisingly, argues that her removal would bring instability to Oakland. As if things are going so well right now. Crime rates are up, businesses are closing, and city funds seem to disappear with no visible improvements. Her supporters claim she’s making progress—on what, exactly? The city is sinking deeper into chaos.
If voters decide to kick Thao out on November 5th, the immediate question becomes, who replaces her? Normally, that would be City Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas. But Bas is running for Alameda County supervisor, so if she wins that race, she’s out. The next in line, Dan Kalb, lost his council seat when he ran for state Senate and can’t return without being re-elected. So, by January, Oakland might be left scrambling for leadership, as usual.
While Thao fights to keep her job, Oakland’s district attorney, Pamela Price, is in the same boat. Price, elected on a progressive platform, quickly faced recall efforts just months into her term. Voters are frustrated with her soft-on-crime policies, and they’re not wrong. Crime has only surged under her leadership. Alameda County residents want change, and they want it now.
The recall effort against Price is historic. This is the first time in Alameda County’s 174-year history that a district attorney has faced a recall. If Price is removed, the county won’t have a permanent DA until 2028. The leadership vacuum would be real, but given the current situation, it’s hard to see how it could get any worse.
Back to Thao: her troubles started when she fired Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong after an investigation revealed he mishandled officer misconduct cases. That decision sparked outrage, with city leaders and community groups demanding she reinstate Armstrong. She refused, of course, which only added to her unpopularity.
Then there are the missed opportunities. Thao failed to secure an $18 million grant to fight retail theft, leaving Oakland’s businesses vulnerable. The situation got so bad that Governor Gavin Newsom had to send in the California Highway Patrol to assist with law enforcement. Imagine a city needing help from the state because its mayor can’t handle the basics.
For many Oakland residents, enough is enough. Gail Harbin, a lead organizer of the recall, highlighted the fact that over 40,000 voters are done with Thao’s incompetence. Under her watch, crime has skyrocketed, and Oakland is sinking further into chaos. Harbin isn’t wrong—Thao’s leadership has been a disaster.
It’s not just the voters who are fed up. Businesses are closing their doors, citing the lack of security and the increasing crime rates. Oakland, once a thriving economic hub, has become a place where survival is more important than success.
As Oakland teeters on the edge of political chaos, both Thao and Price are desperately trying to keep their jobs while the city falls apart around them. This is a defining moment for Oakland, and voters will have a chance to decide if they want to keep watching their city collapse, or take a step toward real change. Come November, the choice will be clear: stay stuck in dysfunction, or try to set the city on a better path.
