Rewind 2025 - Part I: Another FBI raid, indictments shake up East Bay; Oakland mayoral election tightens; Trump-proofing; New DA takes office
The best and worst in East Bay politics from January through March
Beginning today, we look back at the events that shaped the year in East Bay politics. Part one of Rewind 2025 starts today, followed by Part II—April through June—on Monday.
—VACANCIES ABOUND—As the New Year began, several high-profile political appointments were up for grabs, mostly due to the November 2024 recalls. Alameda County district attorney and Oakland mayor, among them, but also a replacement on the Oakland City Council in District 2. A mad scramble for all three seat commences.
JANUARY
—MUSICAL CHAIRS—Barbara Lee joins the race for Oakland mayor. Councilmember Kevin Jenkins is named acting Oakland mayor. Candidates for Nikki Fortunato Bas’ former District 2 seat line up, but not before the Oakland City Council pulls Rebecca Kaplan out of retirement to serve through the April special election. Jan. 7 - ‘With terrible choices ahead of us,’ Oakland sets tone, appoints acting mayor, council leadership”
—HERE COMES THE JUDGE—Fifteen individuals apply to replace recalled Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. Nine are already employed at the DA’s office and one was actually charged by Price. Venus Johnson, Annie Esposito, and Ursula Jones Dickson are viewed as the frontrunners. Jan. 8 - “Bas makes Board of Supervisors debut.”
—CENSURE STILL IN THE AIR—AC Transit Board Director Sarah Syed narrowly avoids censure for allegations that she improperly interfered in the duties of the general manager and staff members. “This is weak sauce, guys. The report is flimsy,” Board Director Jean Walsh said. It was the sixth attempt at censure in Alameda County in the past four months. Jan. 9 - “Lee enters special mayoral election, vows to lead an ‘Oakland renaissance’.”
—TRUMP-PROOFING—Newly-installed Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas moves quickly to create an ad hoc committee to prepare the county for the incoming Trump administration and its policies. Jan. 15 - “Bas wants to Trump-proof Alameda County.”
—FBI RAIDS, PART II—The FBI’s public corruption investigation in Oakland moves to San Leandro. Eighteen FBI agents searched the home of San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo. Jan. 15 - “FBI agents search the home of San Leandro official connected to Duong family.” Emails show Azevedo and Councilmember Victor Aguilar, Jr. pitched Evolutionary Homes, the container home company at the heart of the investigation, to city officials. Jan. 16 - Azevedo pitched Evolutionary Homes, a potential target of the FBI’s probe, to San Leandro officials
—INDICTMENTS—Two days later, federal authorities indict former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her partner, Andre Jones; and California Waste Solutions owners David Duong and Andy Duong, and allege they participated in a bribery scheme, committed wire and mail fraud, in an effort to personally benefit themselves. All four plead not guilty. Jan. 17 - “‘A deal is a deal’: Thao, others, indicted for bribery.”
—TAYLOR MADE—Loren Taylor announces his candidacy for Oakland mayor. In a video posted on social media, Taylor revealed that in November he suffered “major organ failure due to a rare disease.” Jan. 17 - “Here come the Feds.”
—UJD APPOINTED D.A.—Ursula Jones Dickson is appointed Alameda County District Attorney. The outcome is a big loss for Attorney General Rob Bonta who vigorously lobbied for his lieutenant to get the job. Jan. 29 - “Ursula Jones Dickson is your next Alameda County DA.”
—UN-BLEE-VABLE—Barbara Lee delivered a series major flubs that would have sunk any other candidate. Speaking to the Wellstone Democratic Club, Lee acknowledged she has no experience in local government, suggested she was only running for mayor to check a box on her resume, and said the media hates her. Jan. 30 - Barbara Lee’s train wreck of a performance raises all sorts of questions
FEBRUARY
—TRUMP-PROOFING 1.0—Amid upheaval created by the incoming Trump administration, Alameda County supervisors approved short-term allocation of $876,500 to three community-based organizations to fill the gap in refugee resettlement services through April 30. The board would approve $3.5 million in March for immigrant legal services. Feb. 5 - After federal funding freeze, Alameda County allocates $876,000 to support refugee resettlement
—JUST BE-CAUSE—After years of intransigence, Alameda County supervisors pass a just cause ordinance for the unincorporated areas. “The fact that it took so long is not acceptable,” Supervisor Elisa Márquez said. Feb. 5 - After federal funding freeze, Alameda County allocates $876,000 to support refugee resettlement
—BONTA OUT OF GUV RACE—Attorney General Rob Bonta reiterates that he will not run for governor, and instead, endorse Kamala Harris, if she runs. Harris did not, leaving the field wide open. Polling at the time showed Bonta at the bottom tier of candidates. Feb. 5 - After federal funding freeze, Alameda County allocates $876,000 to support refugee resettlement
—ICE OUT—Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez acknowledged that federal authorities asked for access to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin to detain individuals swept up in ICE raids. “My answer was definitely a clear no,” Sanchez told a county ad hoc committee. Feb. 7 - Alameda County’s sheriff forbids ICE from using Santa Rita Jail
—PARKS & WRECKS—In a major bureaucratic blunder, Alameda County is forced to refund $1.4 million in previously collected in-lieu fees set aside for improving parks in the unincorporated areas after the county’s housing department neglected to expend the funds in a timely basis. Feb. 11 - Alameda County must refund $1.4 million in park in-lieu fees after proceeds sat unused for 5 years
—OUT TO PASTURE—The end of live horse racing at the Alameda County Fairgrounds is announced after a state authority declined to issue racing dates for the summer fair season in Pleasanton. The Fair Board reported losing $1.9 million on last year’s meet. The issue of horse racing in Pleasanton will resurface in November. Feb. 12 - Pleasanton racetrack, stables to close on March 25
—CAMPING BAN DRAWS OUTRAGE—Fremont City Council formally approves a ban on camping in public spaces that gained local and statewide attention. City officials later clarified that language criminalizing the aiding and abetting of homeless individuals would not be applied. The ordinance, however, proves to be popular in Fremont and statewide, according to a poll. Feb. 12 - Pleasanton racetrack, stables to close on March 25
—’F’ IN ACCOUNTING—School districts in Oakland and Hayward are swimming in huge budget deficits. Oakland is staring down a $152 million in February, while Hayward is facing a $54 million shortfall. Both are at risk of state intervention. Their budget uncertainty will remain acute through the end of the year. Feb. 14. Hayward, Oakland school districts are dealing with staggering deficits
—NEW DAY AT D.A.—Appointed Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson is officially sworn in. “You are going to have to give me some time to get it tight, get it right because things are out of whack.” she said. “But, I’m going to tell you what, I’m going to fix it. I’ll make that promise.” Feb. 19 - Here comes the judge
—AUDITOR GOES OVERTIME—A whistleblower’s anonymous tip led the Oakland City Auditor’s office to discover the city overspent $1.6 million in overtime costs between January 2018 and May 2024. The overtime costs were focused on the city’s Department of Transportation and Public Works Department. Feb. 21 - Oakland District 2 council candidates have divergent views on public safety
—HEALTHY OPTIONS—Sutter Health announces plans to replace the seismically-deficient Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley with a new facility in Emeryville featuring “up to 200 beds.” The new hospital is slated to open in 2033, but union leaders are skeptical about the types of services that may be included at the new facility. Feb. 21 - Oakland District 2 council candidates have divergent views on public safety
MARCH
—SLIGHTLY OUT OF THE HOLE—Oakland’s projected year-end budget deficit is now $89 million. That’s actually good news. It used to be $120 million. The reduction is mostly fueled by a dramatic drop in police overtime. March 3 - Wheels on the bus.
—WE’RE NOT THE PROBLEM—Hayward school boardmembers approve a fiscal solvency plan to layoff 156 employees in order to balance a $54 million budget deficit, but not before placing the superintendent on administrative leave. He would resign days later. It’s a scenario that will play out in Oakland in April. March 3 - Wheels on the bus
—SIMON SAYS—Newly elected Rep. Lateefah Simon walks out of President Trump’s address to Congress in protest. “I don’t need to listen to more of the President’s lies or blatant celebration of racism and transphobia,” Simon said. March 5 - Lateefah Simon walked out of Trump’s joint address to congress
—WE HAVE A RACE—Oakland’s special mayoral election is tightening up as polls show Barbara Lee and Loren Taylor running neck-and-neck. Finance reports also show Taylor is out-fundraising Lee as mail-in ballots are set to arrive in voters’ mailboxes. March 7 - Taylor tops Lee in fundraising
—FBI IN THE ‘DRO—San Leandro officials acknowledge receiving a federal subpoena in January asking for documents and communications related to California Waste Solutions, representatives of Evolutionary Homes, and a declaration of a local emergency on homelessness. March 7 - Federal subpoena asked San Leandro officials for information related to Duongs, garbage contracts, and infamous Vietnam trip
—DEBATE NIGHT IN OAKLAND—At a televised debate, Barbara Lee shows signs of vigor, while Loren Taylor attempts to link Lee to the rise and fall of Sheng Thao. Despite the positive showing, Lee would later assert the debate’s moderator, Dave Clark of KTVU, was bias toward her in his questioning. March 12 - Barbara Lee comes alive
—411 ON THE 510—Become an East Bay Insiders subscriber today and get FULL ACCESS to the inside scoop every weekday morning at 6 a.m. It’s what the insiders read.
YEAR-END PUBLISHING SCHEDULE
Friday, Dec. 19 - ⏪Rewind 2025: Part 1 - Another FBI raid, indictments shake up East Bay; Oakland mayoral election heats up; Trump-proofing; New DA takes office
Monday, Dec 22 - ⏪Rewind 2025: Part 2
Tuesday, Dec 23 - ⏪Rewind 2025: Part 3
Tuesday, Dec. 23 - 🎙️EBI Podcast: Episode 122 - 3rd Annual Insidey Awards
Friday, Dec 26 - ⏪Rewind 2025: Part 4
Monday, Dec 29 - 🔝🔟Top 10 East Bay Stories of 2025
Tuesday, Dec 30 - ❝Best Quotes of 2025❞
Monday, Jan. 5 - 🗞️EBI Newsletter returns, 6 a.m. sharp
🙏To all the new paid subscribers who joined the East Bay Insiders this year. Thank you for your support!
