The stratospheric rise that Sheng Thao experienced in Oakland politics was followed by a dramatic fall from power.
Thao was elected as the first Hmong American mayor of Oakland in November 2022. However, her reign was clouded by controversy, which finally led to her recall on November 5, 2024.
This made her the first mayor in the history of Oakland to be recalled from office. The following is a summary of her path, including the significant events that led to her downfall:
Her Rise to Power
Sheng Thao, who was born in 1985 to parents who were refugees from the Hmong people, successfully overcame severe personal hurdles, such as poverty and homelessness, in order to enter politics.
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According to NBC News, her political career started with an internship for Rebecca Kaplan, who is a member of the Oakland City Council. This job ultimately led to her vying for and gaining a position on the Oakland City Council in 2018.
Thao became the first Hmong American to be elected mayor of a major city in the United States of America as he narrowly won the mayoral race in November 2022.
She takes office in January 2023 with the intention of concentrating on issues relating to affordable housing, homelessness, and criminal activity.
Her Controversies and Challenges
Worries Regarding Public Safety During Thao’s term, public safety was one of the most important issues that needed to be addressed.
It was reported by CBS News that she was subjected to criticism quickly after taking office for her decision to dismiss the well-liked Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong. In addition to the increased crime rates, this decision was a contributing factor in the growing unhappiness of the general people.
Concerns Regarding the Budget and Grants The Oakland Side Organization reports that Thao’s administration was subjected to criticism regarding the management of the budget.
One incident that was particularly devastating was the fact that the deadline for a public safety grant worth $15 million was missed. This was regarded as a significant failure in terms of tackling the city’s numerous crime issues.
During the course of the political controversy, there were charges of possible violations of state election regulations. One of the former staff members said that they were terminated from their position at the City Council because they refused to participate on Thao’s campaign while they were employed there.
FBI Investigation
The following is what we know about the continuing investigation and the raid that the FBI conducted on the residence of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao:
According to NBC Bay Area News, on June 20, 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a search warrant at the residence of Mayor Sheng Thao as part of a broader operation that also involved searches at three other locations.
It would appear that the inquiry is centered on possible violations of campaign finance laws and instances of corruption involving the Duong family, who are the owners of California Waste Solutions, a recycling company that has a contract with the city of Oakland.
Key points about the investigation:
- A federal grand jury has subpoenaed a wide range of documents from the City of Oakland, including communications related to Thao’s mayoral campaign, her meetings, and any correspondence involving the Duong family’s enterprises.
- The investigation is seeking records dating back to January 2022, shortly after Thao declared her mayoral candidacy.
- Legal experts suggest the FBI’s document requests indicate a potential “pay to play” probe, focusing on uncovering possible instances of bribery or governmental corruption.
Sheng Thao’s Response
- Thao has consistently maintained her innocence and claims she was unaware of any investigation until the FBI searched her home.
- She has demanded that the FBI publicly state she is not the target of the corruption investigation.
- Thao’s attorney has reportedly been told by the FBI that she is not the primary target of the investigation, but this has not been publicly confirmed by the FBI.
However, despite the fact that the FBI raid has been verified, the particular facts of what they were investigating have not been revealed.
This is a crucial point to understand. According to reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and KTVU News, the investigation appears to be centered on the connection between Mayor Thao and the Duong family, as well as potential violations of campaign finance laws.
However, no charges have been filed, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has not disclosed any official comments regarding the nature of their investigation or the individuals they are looking into.
Factors Leading to Recall
This decision to recall Mayor Thao was influenced by a number of important issues, including the following:
During Thao’s stint as mayor of Oakland, the city experienced an increase in the number of violent and property crimes, which had led to widespread concerns about the safety of the general population.
Thao was perceived to be ineffective by many voters because they believed that he was not doing enough to solve the critical challenges facing the city, notably those pertaining to homelessness and crime.
Mismanagement of the budget: The possibility to receive a grant consisting of fifteen million dollars was regarded as a big failure in terms of obtaining resources for public safety.
Probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation: The ongoing federal probe has generated concerns over Thao’s honesty and his capacity to lead.
A lack of accountability: Thao’s unwillingness to acknowledge mistakes or accept responsibility for failures was a source of frustration for a significant number of voters.
Concerns Regarding the Economy: During her tenure, there were business departures and budget shortfalls, both of which contributed to the public’s unhappiness.
The Recall
On November 12, 2024, voters in Oakland made a resounding decision to recall Mayor Sheng Thao, with 65 percent of the population voting in support of her removal from office.
As a result, she became the first mayor in the history of Oakland to be summoned back to office. The recall election was a manifestation of the culmination of rising discontent with her leadership and the numerous problems that beset her brief stint in office.
In conclusion, although Sheng Thao’s ascent to the position of mayor of Oakland was nothing short of historic, the public’s trust in her was eroded as a result of her inability to successfully address the critical challenges facing the city, as well as the controversies and investigations that surrounded her.
The residents’ frustration with what they regarded to be failings in public safety, fiscal management, and overall leadership in general was finally reflected in the vote to recall the governor.