Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao reflects on achievements, challenges as she leaves office
OAKLAND, Calif. - On Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's final day in office Tuesday, she shared her thoughts about her journey through City Hall.
She rose from an intern in 2012 to a staff member with Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, to a city councilmember herself, and then to the highest office of Oakland mayor.
"I'm very proud of my team because we led with our values, and we were unapologetic about it," Thao told KTVU in her final interview as mayor.
Thao's last day was filled with meetings, packing, and wrapping up the work she set out to do when elected less than two years ago.
The November 2024 recall passed with more than 60% of voters wanting her to step down.
Thao says she's proud of what she's done during her term, listing what she sees as her top accomplishments.
"I'm most proud of resurrecting the Ceasefire strategy, because it saved hundreds of lives and not just that, but brought down crimes," Thao said.
Pastor Todd Benson, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay, noted that homicides are down.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's last day: A look back at her tenure
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's last day is Tuesday; she was recalled by voters last month.
"She has been a strong supporter of the Ceasefire Anti-Violence program," said Benson. "This year, it's down 35-40% over last year. We went the whole month of October without a homicide, so we're grateful for her leadership around stopping violence in Oakland and wish her the best."
Thao also pointed to the partnership with the Oakland Ballers as another proud moment, seeing the team's stadium project being completed.
"We finished the renovation of the Oakland Ballers stadium in six months, and you know a lot of people didn't think that could happen," Thao said.
Thao says she's also proud of Oakland's work to find housing for unhoused residents.
"We took down the largest encampment in Northern California on Wood Street in my first three months in office, and then we housed everyone and now there's over 100 units of affordable housing there. So there's a lot to be proud of," Thao said.
Thao has faced fierce criticism for her firing of former Oakland Police Chief Leronne Armstrong, which led to his suing the city for wrongful termination. Thao was also criticized when Oakland missed a deadline for the city to receive grant funding that other Bay Area cities received.
Under her administration, the city also ended up with a $129 million shortfall, leading to a budget crisis that is still being resolved and could include cuts to police and fire services.
An FBI raid on Thao's home was also a blow. The point of the raid and the investigation is still unclear, and Thao says she was not the target.
"I don't regret any of those decisions because I was always putting the city of Oakland at the forefront and not politics," she said.
Her supporters said she has had a positive impact on Oakland. They said Thao often doesn't get credit for the small acts of kindness she did as mayor.
On Tuesday, three faith leaders came to Oakland City Hall for a meeting and prayers with Thao on her final day. They prayed with her and Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas.
"It was a moving moment for me," said Bishop L. Lawrence Brandon, senior pastor at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church.
Brandon said Thao was always trying to help people. He gave one example when Thao heard about a homeless man who was getting a ride from one of the faith leaders. Brandon says Thao made a point of talking with the man.
"She stopped what she was doing, went to the car, met the person, made a few phone calls and that person received food and housing," Brandon said. "That speaks about her and who she really is."
Brandon also noted that in Thao's final week, she spent time delivering toys to 300 families in need.
"For her to step up to the plate to make sure she gave them an ounce of care and some hope going forward, I think that's a major display of what she's done during her tenure for the city of Oakland," said Brandon.
Thao said she met with Bas, who will be interim mayor until Jan. 6 when Bas is sworn in to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. Then, the new Oakland City Council will elect a president who will become the next interim mayor until a special election is held on April 15, 2025.
Thao says she hopes the incoming mayors will continue the Ceasefire program, pursue revenues through the sale of the Oakland Coliseum, and listen to people who might not always feel represented in the city.
"It is a tough job, but like with anything else, when you love the city and when you have the passion, and you want to see the change, anything can happen in the city of Oakland," Thao said.