Rewind 2024, Part III: Great resignation continues; Oakland's budget relies on questionable Coliseum deal; facts of FBI investigation still fuzzy
Ellen Corbett passes at 69; first two elected officials are recalled; $20 billion regional housing bond is shelved; Throw down in the 'Dro town; former Alameda County prosecutor runs for president
Over the last full week of 2024, let’s look back at the events that shaped a historic year in East Bay politics.
Part four of the 2024 Rewind returns on Friday with October through December.
JULY
—RESIGNATION #3—Newark Councilmember Mike Bucci resigns. He’s the third councilmember in Alameda County to leave his post. Bucci’s reason is different. “Unfortunately, we’re just the next people in a long line of folks who have been priced out of town,” Bucci wrote on social media. July 1 - “Oakland blows past budget deadline.”
—ON SECOND THOUGHT—State Sen. Aisha Wahab is tabbed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to lead the effort to reform Proposition 47, the initiative that makes it a demeanor is the total value of stolen items is less than $950. Newsom, though, changes plans a week later and drops the bid to reform Prop. 47. July 1 - “Oakland blows past budget deadline.”
—BONTA INTO THE MIX—The FBI investigation story pulls California Attorney General Rob Bonta into its orbit. Bonta, who has longstanding ties to the Duongs, announces he’s donating $155,100 in campaign contributions accepted from the family over the years to charity. The amount received via the Duongs, however, is likely much higher since they served as a lucrative bundler for Bonta and others. July 2 - “Return to sender.”
—STOPGAP MEASURE PANNED—A dubious plan for balancing Oakland’s budget is hatched that includes assuming $63 million will be received within the fiscal year from the proposed sale of the city’s half-interest in the Coliseum complex to the African American Sports and Entertainment Group. “This budget has been an insult to the people of Oakland,” Councilmember Janani Ramachandran said. “This is a wildly, fiscally irresponsible decision.” July 3 - “Don't say the b-word in Oakland.”
—DEFERRING DEFERRED MAINTENANCE—In a city with an estimated $800 million in deferred maintenance costs, Alameda councilmembers vote against placing a comparatively modest $150 million infrastructure bond on the November ballot. “This is sometimes known as the tyranny of the minority,” Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft said following the vote. July 3 - “Don't say the b-word in Oakland.”
—SUBPOENA HINTS AT ROADMAP—A federal subpoena sent to the city of Oakland following the June 20 FBI raids begins to somewhat narrow the subject of their investigation. The subpoena references a container home company named Evolutionary Homes, the Oakland Army Base, and requests calendars for Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and her partner, Andre Jones. July 8 - “Plot thickens.”
—FIRST TO BE RECALLED—Voters in unincorporated Sunol Glen recall school boardmembers Ryan Jergensen and Linda Hurley. They are the first of what will be four elected Alameda County officials removed from office this year. The basis for the recall was a flag policy that some believe was anti-LGBT. July 8 - “Plot thickens.”
—ONE IN, ONE OUT—Ana Apodaca, a former Newark councilmember who served from 2004 to 2014, is appointed as a caretaker to fill Mike Bucci’s term until the fall election. On the same night, Newark Councilmember Luis Freitas announces his retirement after 29 years of service. July 9 - Good times, bad times.”
—HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT—In a breathtaking past 24 hours, Vice President Kamala Harris, a former Alameda County prosecutor and East Bay native becomes the Democratic nominee for president after President Joe Biden’s horrendous debate performance. July 22 - “Former Alameda County prosecutor is running for president.”
—BAD EARLY REVIEWS—An early internal poll indicates Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao is heading toward removal from office. The poll finds just 25 percent oppose the recall, while less than half of them are a firm no. July 23 - “Sheng’s sinking ship.”
—SHERIFF’S OVERSIGHT DELAYED—For the sixth time since April, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors fail to act on an agenda item to finalize long-vetting oversight of the sheriff’s office. “With respect to what is becoming a pattern with these continuances, I’m just going to state at some point we have to vote,” Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez said. July 24 - “Ghosting sheriff's oversight and tenant protections.”
—CARETAKERS GAIN MAJORITY—Alameda County Board of Education trustees Cheryl Cook-Kallio and Aisha Knowles are named to replace recalled Sunol Glen school boardmembers Ryan Jergensen and Linda Hurley as caretakers. The new three-member board quickly repeals the district’s flag policy. July 25 - “Alameda County needs 93,000 new housing units. How much will that cost? Only $27 billion.”
AUGUST
—LEGEND PASSES—Ellen Corbett, a giant among East Bay elected officials and a barrier-breaking trailblazer for a generation of women in the political arena, dies. She was 69. Corbett was elected San Leandro mayor in 1994, and later served in the state Legislature, reaching the status of state senate majority leader. Aug. 12 - “Ellen Corbett, devoted East Bay public servant who served San Leandro and the Legislature, dies.”
—THEY DON’T LIKE YOU—Sixty-nine percent of voters describe Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao as unfavorable, according to a poll, as opposed to 17 percent who find her favorable for a shocking difference of 52 percentage points. Aug. 1 - “Sheng Thao and Oakland's poll numbers are underwater.”
—REID OUT—Oakland Councilmember Treva Reid announces she will not run for re-election after one term. The late move sets off a mad scramble to join a race that will ultimately be won by community organizer Ken Houston in November. Aug. 13 - “Fremont fisticuffs.”
—FISHER INVESTMENT—The A’s announce a deal to sell their half-interest in the Coliseum complex to the African American Sports and Entertainment Group for $125 million. Like the deal with Oakland, it remains unclear if AASEG has the finances to pay the A’s. Aug. 13 - “Fremont fisticuffs.”
—REGIONAL HOUSING BOND FIZZLES—The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority abruptly withdraws a $20 billion affordable housing bond measure from the November ballot, striking a blow to housing advocates who deemed it critical to alleviating the region’s housing crisis. Aug. 15 - “Bond fail.”
—PRIMETIME—Lateefah Simon, the BART board director and candidate for the 12th Congressional District held by retiring Rep. Barbara Lee, addresses the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in a primetime speech in support of presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Aug. 22 - “Berkeley ❤️ tax measures.”
—RESIGNATION #4—Fremont Councilmember Jenny Kassan resigns, becoming the fourth councilmember in Alameda County to abruptly resign from office this year, and the fifth in the past nine months. In September, Kathy Kimberlin is appointed to the District 3 seat. Aug. 26 - “Fremont councilmember calls it quits.”
SEPTEMBER
—THERE THEY GO AGAIN—Alameda County Democratic Central Committee members again squabble, this time over disagreements about whether a second vote is needed to oppose the recall of DA Pamela Price. The votes to oppose the recall don’t appear to be there. Instead, Price supporters vote to reaffirm previous opposition to the recall registered in late 2023. Sept. 5 - “Alameda County Dems suspend vote, approve opposition to Price recall by acclamation.”
—THROW DOWN IN THE ‘DRO TOWN—Following a candidate forum at the San Leandro Library, Councilmember Bryan Azevedo is involved in a confrontation with former San Leandro Councilmember Lee Thomas. Police reports are made, but no charges are brought against any of the parties involved. Sept. 9 - “Throw down in the ‘Dro town.”
—BRYAN’S BAD WEEK—Embattled San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo is caught twice on video removing the campaign yard signs of his opponent, Ed Hernandez, from a resident’s lawn. Azevedo said it was a misunderstanding. Sept. 12 - “San Leandro councilmember caught on video removing opponent's yard sign.”
—NANCY KNOWS BEST—State Sen. Nancy Skinner endorses little-known upstart Adena Ishii for mayor. “Adena represents a new generation of leadership that the city of Berkeley needs and deserves,” Skinner said. Sept. 16 - “The gloves are off.”
—BACON BITS—Fremont’s mayoral race begins to heat up following a barrage of attacks by Vinnie Bacon against rival Raj Salwan. “My opponent talks a good game, but does not deliver,” Salwan said. “I’m trying to get things done, not just have symbolic votes.” Sept. 16 - “The gloves are off.”
—TWO-YEAR BONUS—Completely under the radar, Alameda County Assessor Phong La, Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder Melissa Wilk, and Treasurer-Tax Collector Hank Levy will have their terms, all up in 2026, extended through the 2028 election under a plan to line up their seats with presidential primaries. Sept. 18 - “With AASEG's urging, county supes seek stay in Coliseum Surplus Land Act lawsuit.”
—COUNCIL COUNSELING—Fremont Councilmember Teresa Cox avoids censure proceedings for allegedly usurping the power of the mayor. “Today, the city of Fremont is not the happiest city in the U.S.A.,” Cox said, while noting her innocence. Sept. 19 - “Fremont councilmember avoids censure, but not before council's dirty laundry is aired.”
—SEVENTH TIMES A CHARM—After seven attempts since April, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors approve an ordnance for oversight of the sheriff’s office and the creation of an office of the inspector general. “We’ve been dotting ‘I’s’ and crossing ‘T's’ since 2021,” an exasperated Supervisor Keith Carson said. Sept. 19 - “Fremont councilmember avoids censure, but not before council's dirty laundry is aired.”
—LIFE SUPPORT—The future of St. Rose Hospital, a pivotal safety net health care facility in Hayward, is in serious doubt after Gov. Gavin Newsom vetos state legislation that was viewed as a lifeline to keep the struggling hospital afloat. The facility needs $53 million in additional funding for the current fiscal year. Sept. 23 - “Newsom vetoes St. Rose Hospital loan forgiveness bill.”
