Oakland Special Election: New Mayor and Sales Tax Increase on the Ballot

On April 15, Oakland will hold a special election to select a new mayor, consider a sales tax increase, and fill a vacant City Council seat.

This

election

follows the unprecedented recall of a mayor in the city’s history. Former Mayor Sheng Thao was recalled in November 2024 amid a

federal investigation

regarding accusations of offering political favors in exchange for campaign contributions. She was indicted in January 2025.

Thao and the district attorney were
ousted by voters
who expressed concerns about the city’s budget deficit, homelessness, and rising crime rates.

Ten candidates

are competing for the mayoral position, including an Olympian, a factory union worker, and an entertainer. Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee and ex-City Councilman Loren Taylor are currently leading the race.

Lee, who made history as the first black woman elected to the state Senate from a Northern California district, intends to tackle issues of homelessness, public safety, mental health services, and fiscal responsibility to uphold essential city operations. Her prominent supporters

include

various political action committees like Asian Americans for Good Government Pac and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees-Council 57 PAC.

Taylor, who previously lost to Thao in a mayoral election,

promises

to boost Oakland’s police force by over 100 officers, reopen shut-down fire stations, and remove taxes for businesses earning under $1.5 million. His backers

include

the California Real Estate Political Action Committee, among others.

Other candidates include educator Mindy Pechenuk, entertainer Peter Liu, Olympian Elizabeth Swaney, educator Renia Webb, governance VP Suz Robinson, provider Christina Grappo, paralegal Tyron Jordan, and union worker Eric Simpson.

The mayoral election will utilize ranked-choice voting (RCV), allowing voters to prioritize their candidates instead of selecting just one.

Measure A is also on the ballot, proposing a half-cent sales tax increase to alleviate the city’s budget shortfall. If passed, Measure A would raise Oakland’s sales tax from 10.25 percent to 10.75 percent, expected to generate nearly $30 million annually to help close the

$140 million structural deficit

. The Oakland City Council unanimously placed Measure A on the ballot on January 9. Supporters, like Oaklanders for Safe, Clean Streets, have contributed $264,697 for this measure, according to

Open Disclosure Oakland

in collaboration with the PEC.

Seven candidates are competing for the city’s Second District Council seat, focusing on public safety, budget matters, support for small businesses, and housing challenges. This election will also implement RCV.

In November 2024, Alameda County voters expressed discontent over crime and homelessness by removing several progressive leaders, with 61
and 63 percent
voting in favor of recalling Mayor Thao and District Attorney Pamela Price, respectively.