Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas to become interim Oakland mayor after Sheng Thao recall

By: Eliot Pierce

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Oakland officials have released a revised roadmap outlining their plans to replace Sheng Thao, the recalled mayor.

Thao conceded in the recall a few days after the November election, even though the results have not yet been verified.

In a situation like this, the president of the Oakland City Council would typically step in as acting mayor; however, Nikki Fortunato Bas, the current president of the Oakland City Council, was elected to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

Bas stated on Wednesday that the election results were anticipated to be certified on Thursday by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

Bas intends to submit a letter of resignation from her council seat on December 17 in the event that that occurs.

On that day, the Oakland City Council is anticipated to announce the election’s outcome and the opening of the mayor’s office.

Until January, when she becomes the new supervisor of Alameda County, Bas would continue to hold the position of interim mayor.

In order to save money, Bas stated she thinks Oakland should hold both the mayor’s and council seat elections in April.

In November 2022, Thao was elected mayor, making him the first Hmong American to hold a key city position. Almost immediately after assuming office, she came under fire for dismissing LeRonne Armstrong, the well-liked Oakland police chief.

Voters who were fed up with the city’s budget, homelessness, and public safety issues pointed the finger at Thao. Following a June FBI raid on her home and other properties owned by a politically powerful family that controls the city’s recycling contract, she also came under fire. Authorities have not disclosed the nature of their investigation, and Thao has insisted on her innocence.

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