Categories: Politics

Oakland mayor to face landmark recall election after organizers demand her ouster

Oakland Democratic Mayor Sheng Thao will now face a recall on November’s ballot, after community organizers garnered nearly double the requisite number of signatures needed to force the proviso, according to multiple reports.

“OUST” or Oakland United to Recall Sheng Thao, submitted its petition two weeks ago, and on Wednesday, officials in Alameda County confirmed they had met the threshold of 25,000 voter signatures.

Retired Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte, who spearheaded the recall, told local media Thao has “blood on her hands” amid rising crime, grand theft auto and instances of people being robbed on the street.

“Businesses were not leaving Oakland at this pace before she came into office,” Harbin-Forte told the local ABC affiliate. 

OUST also took issue with what recall supporters called the “dismantling” of the Oakland Police Department under Thao’s watch.

OAKLAND LOCALS BLAME HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT FOR CITY REMOVING TRAFFIC LIGHTS TO STOP COPPER THIEVES

Video

Fox News Digital was unable to reach Harbin-Forte for further comment, but she was reported to have told the local FOX affiliate KTVU that the recall is a “historic achievement” and provides voters with “a sense of urgency and purpose to recall this dishonest and incompetent mayor.”

Fox News Digital also reached out to Thao’s office but did not receive a response by press time.

One opponent of the recall, Councilmember Noel Gallo, told KGO it could create more divisions within city government but that he supports the ability for voters to have a right to voice their concerns.

CA GOV. NEWSOM TO SEND PROSECUTORS TO OAKLAND TO COMBAT SOARING CRIME RATES

Video

Recall proponents ultimately collected 40,595 valid signatures on the recall petition.

Signatories recorded in videos posted by OUST complained of homeless encampments and cars being broken into, while one resident called the state of the city the worst since she began living there in 1985.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Other allegations and criticism from organizers included Thao’s failure to meet a deadline for a grant to combat retail theft – which the mayor later took responsibility for – as well as the firing of former OPD Chief LeRonne Armstrong.

They also criticized Thao’s remark that the Oakland Athletics MLB team “won’t be missed” after they decided to relocate to Las Vegas, Nev., where the now-former Oakland Raiders NFL team plays, as well.

Fox News Digital also reached out to Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., for comment.

Share

Recent Posts

New England serial killer fears: 10 bodies now found in less than 2 months

close Video Paul Mauro weighs in on New England serial killer theory Fox News contributor…

2 hours ago

Trump admin releases shockingly low number of illegal aliens compared to Biden years: ‘Unprecedented’

President Donald Trump's border czar Tom Homan touted how the administration has released a shockingly…

2 hours ago

Trump backs local police in new executive order, rebukes Democrat crime policies that sowed ‘chaos’ across US

President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order backing local police departments with…

2 hours ago

Dem border rep brags about voting against Laken Riley Act

Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., touted his vote against the Laken Riley Act and bashed President…

2 hours ago

GOP races against clock as Senate, House remain trillions of dollars apart on Trump’s tax bill

House Republicans are rushing to get started on a multitrillion-dollar bill to advance President Donald…

2 hours ago

US strikes kill hundreds of Houthi fighters, hit over 800 Red Sea targets: Central Command

The U.S. military has pummeled over 800 targets since mid-March in a campaign aimed at…

2 hours ago