The meteoric rise and rapid fall of Oakland's first Hmong American mayor
In short: Sheng Thao became a historic political figure as Oakland's first Hmong American mayor, only to face a federal indictment and a successful recall vote within two years. Her tenure was defined by intense struggles with public safety, budget deficits, and high-profile corruption allegations that ultimately ended her administration.
Born in 1985 to Hmong refugees in Stockton, California, Sheng Thao rose from childhood poverty and periods of homelessness to become a significant force in Oakland politics. After graduating from UC Berkeley, she served as chief of staff to council member Rebecca Kaplan before winning a city council seat in 2018. In 2022, she secured the mayoralty in a tight ranked-choice election, campaigning on promises to address the city's housing crisis and public safety concerns.
Thao's time as mayor was marked by immediate crises. She inherited a city struggling with retail crime and business closures, leading to friction with the police department. She fired Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong in 2023, citing a loss of confidence in his reform efforts, which triggered a wrongful termination lawsuit. Simultaneously, her administration grappled with massive budget deficits, attempting to bridge gaps by selling city assets like the Coliseum, a move that drew criticism from financial analysts who warned against relying on one-time sales to solve structural fiscal problems.
The administration's stability collapsed in 2024. Following an FBI raid on her home in June, a recall movement gained momentum, citing concerns over crime and governance. By November 2024, voters removed her from office with over 60% of the vote. In early 2025, she faced federal bribery charges, with prosecutors alleging a pay-to-play scheme involving recycling contracts and property deals. Her partner, Andre Jones, was also indicted in the same case. Thao has pleaded not guilty, and her trial is scheduled for October 2026.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Sheng Thao
- Also: Wikidata — Sheng Thao · CC0
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