Current:Home > NewsVoters in Oakland oust Mayor Sheng Thao just 2 years into her term -Wealth Evolution Experts
Voters in Oakland oust Mayor Sheng Thao just 2 years into her term
View
Date:2025-04-17 23:41:15
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! (828)
Related
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- California lawmakers fast-track bill that would require online sellers to verify their identity
- NBA mock draft: Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr remain 1-2; Reed Sheppard climbing
- A New York county with one of the nation’s largest police forces is deputizing armed residents
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- What we know about the raid that rescued 4 Israeli hostages from Gaza
- US Rep. Nancy Mace faces primary challenge in South Carolina after tumultuous term
- Republicans seek to unseat Democrat in Maine district rocked by Lewiston shooting
- 'Most Whopper
- 'American Idol' contestant Jack Blocker thought he didn't get off on 'right foot' with Katy Perry
Ranking
- Video shows dog chewing cellphone battery pack, igniting fire in Oklahoma home
- Arthritis is common, especially among seniors. Here's what causes it.
- Key new features coming to Apple’s iOS18 this fall
- US opts for experience and versatility on Olympic women’s basketball roster, passes on Caitlin Clark
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Heat stress can turn deadly even sooner than experts thought. Are new warnings needed?
- Federal agreement paves way for closer scrutiny of burgeoning AI industry
- Fire tears through Poland weapons factory, killing 1 worker
Recommendation
Jury selection set for Monday for ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
Intensifying Tropical Storms Threaten Seabirds, New Research Shows
Key new features coming to Apple’s iOS18 this fall
A New York county with one of the nation’s largest police forces is deputizing armed residents
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
Monday is the last day to sign up for $2 million Panera settlement: See if you qualify
Carlos Alcaraz beats Alexander Zverev in 5 sets to win first French Open title
UEFA Euro 2024 odds: Who are favorites to win European soccer championship?