Embattled Oakland Dem Mayor Sheng Thao Recalled In Landslide

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao was recalled Tuesday in a landslide amid voter discontent over the city’s rising crime rate, according to multiple reports.

Oakland voters recalled Thao by a margin over 30 points as of Wednesday, according to the unofficial Alameda County vote count and localreports. Thao assumed office in January 2023, with a city-wide crime report from that year revealed that motor vehicle thefts increased 44%, incidents of robbery increased 38%, and violent crime increased 21%.

A whopping 65.2% of the electorate voted to recall Thao at the time of writing, while only 34.8% voted against the recall, with 100% of precincts reporting.

Thao also had her house raided by the FBI. The reason for the raid has yet to be disclosed.

Thao’s term will now end this year instead of 2026, as she is now the first mayor in Oakland’s history to be removed from office, according to Oaklandside. A special election will be held within 120 days of the recall as the city council President Nikki Fortunato Bas will assume the responsibilities of mayor,