Current:Home > reviewsVoters in Oakland oust Mayor Sheng Thao just 2 years into her term -AssetScope
Voters in Oakland oust Mayor Sheng Thao just 2 years into her term
Charles H. Sloan View
Date:2025-04-11 10:18:54
Follow AP’s coverage of the election and what happens next.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Voters in Oakland, California, have ousted Mayor Sheng Thao just two years after she narrowly won office to lead the liberal San Francisco Bay Area city.
The Associated Press called the race Monday.
“Thank you for choosing me to serve as your Mayor. As the first Hmong American woman to become the mayor of a major American City, it has been the honor of my lifetime,” she said in a statement last week.
She committed to ensuring a smooth transition.
Thao must vacate the office as soon as election results are certified Dec. 5 and the Oakland City Council declares a vacancy at its next meeting, which would be Dec. 17, Nikki Fortunato Bas, City Council president, said in a statement.
A special election for a new mayor will be held within 120 days, or roughly four months.
Until then, Bas — as president of the City Council — would serve as interim mayor unless she wins a seat on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. As of Monday, Bas was trailing in that race.
Thao was elected mayor in November 2022 and became the first Hmong American to lead a major city. She faced criticism almost immediately after taking office for firing popular Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong. Frustrated voters, including the local NAACP, blamed Thao for a long list of city woes related to public safety, homelessness and the city’s budget.
In her statement, Thao said she was proud of her administration’s accomplishments.
Thao was not the only official booted from office in Tuesday’s election. Pamela Price, district attorney for Alameda County, which includes Oakland, also was ousted by voters in a recall election. Critics of both Thao and Price disagreed with the officials’ progressive politics.
Thao went into Tuesday’s election weakened by an FBI raid in June of her home — along with properties owned by a politically influential family that controls the city’s recycling contract. Thao has maintained her innocence and authorities have not said what they are investigating.
Oakland uses a ranked choice voting system that allows voters to list multiple choices in order of preference. Thao narrowly beat Loren Taylor in 2022 despite getting fewer first-place votes than Taylor.
Oakland has about 400,000 residents and is, at times, more politically liberal than San Francisco. It is Vice President Kamala Harris’ hometown.
In recent years, Oakland has lost three professional sports franchises, including Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has sent state highway patrol officers, state prosecutors, and surveillance cameras to help Oakland battle crime.
veryGood! (11872)
Related
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Foo Fighters, Chuck D, Fat Joe rally for healthcare transparency in D.C.: 'Wake everybody up'
- Court order permanently blocks Florida gun retailer from selling certain gun parts in New York
- Lawyer who crashed snowmobile into Black Hawk helicopter is suing for $9.5 million
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Betty Ford forever postage stamp is unveiled at the White House
- Virginia judge sets aside guilty verdict against former school superintendent
- Hoda Kotb Shares Daughter Hope Is Braver Than She Imagined After Medical Scare
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Inter Miami vs. Nashville in Champions Cup: How to watch, game predictions and more
Ranking
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Teresa Giudice and Luis Ruelas' Marriage Is Under Fire in Explosive RHONJ Season 14 Trailer
- It’s not just Elon Musk: ChatGPT-maker OpenAI confronting a mountain of legal challenges
- ‘Rust’ armorer’s trial gives Alec Baldwin’s team a window into how his own trial could unfold
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Biden is hoping to use his State of the Union address to show a wary electorate he’s up to the job
- Alyssa Naeher makes 3 saves and scores in penalty shootout to lift USWNT over Canada
- Jury picked in trial of 2nd parent charged in Michigan school shooting
Recommendation
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Critics slam posthumous Gabriel García Márquez book published by sons against his wishes
Is a 100-point performance possible for an NBA player in today's high-scoring game?
Microsoft engineer sounds alarm on AI image-generator to US officials and company’s board
Average rate on 30
Mississippi House votes to change school funding formula, but plan faces hurdles in the Senate
Mississippi House votes to change school funding formula, but plan faces hurdles in the Senate
Caitlin Clark's potential WNBA contract might come as a surprise, and not a positive one