Sheng Thao easily wins Alameda County Dems endorsement for Oakland mayor; party snubs Pamela Price’s DA campaign

AG Rob Bonta makes ALCO DA pick; Dems supports two Lily Mei endorsers despite anti-LGBTQ resolution

Despite two other of Sheng Thao’s strong mayoral opponents up for the Alameda County Democratic Party’s endorsement, she easily grabbed the important party backing on Saturday afternoon. PHOTO/Sheng Thao for Oakland Mayor

ELECTION 2022

Days until Election Day: 50. Days until ballots are sent: 21.

ALAMEDA COUNTY DEMOCRATS

—BIG WIN FOR THAO—Oakland mayoral candidate Sheng Thao was the runaway choice of the Alameda County Democratic Party at its fall endorsement meeting on Saturday. Meanwhile, the local party again decided to offer “no endorsement” in the high-profile race for Alameda County District Attorney.

—With labor already solidly in Thao’s corner, their influence extended to the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee, which is collectively very pro-labor. Saturday’s result, however, was surprising in its dominance, especially in an Oakland mayoral race with so many strong candidates.

—For Thao, the Alameda County Democratic Party endorsement caps a big week for the campaign. In recent days, the overall strategy to get Thao elected came into focus following the emergence of an Independent Expenditures Committees heavily-funded by labor and an early $140,000 down payment for a phone and canvassing operation to support Thao’s candidacy.

—The news from over the weekend, however, was not good for Alameda County District Attorney candidate Pamela Price. During the four-candidate primary, the central committee issued no endorsement, and did so again on Saturday. For Price, who is also a member of the central committee, Saturday’s result was a missed opportunity to put institutional support behind her reform-minded campaign.

Alameda County District Attorney candidates Terry Wiley and Pamela Price last month at an endorsement meeting in Oakland.

—Following a 15-minute Q&A, Price and a member of the central committee, criticized the party for allowing Alameda County District Attorney candidate Terry Wiley to be considered for the party’s endorsement. An unidentified member speaking at the meeting cited a resolution approved by the central committee two years ago that disqualifies candidates from the endorsement process if they had previously received contributions or endorsements from law enforcement groups. Wiley is backed by at least one law enforcement group.

—The action taken in 2020 was a resolution and not an enforceable local party bylaw, said Royce Kelley, who served as the meeting’s parliamentarian. “I think it is really unfair to our members,” Price told the central committee. “We do not support candidates that accept police money or police endorsements.” Alameda County Democratic Party Chair Igor Tregub added, “I was a co-author of that resolution. I know what it says.”

MORE INSIDE:

• ALCO DEMS: No endorsement for San Leandro mayor

• Lily Mei supporters receive local Dem backing

• AG Bonta makes ALCO DA pick

• Hayward progressive gets party support

• Daily campaign finance data