Thao is toast, but here's why she can't resign yet

Special double issue! Exasperated Gov. Newsom ups CHP patrols in Oakland, expresses disenchantment with DA Price; Group opposing Price says guv is fueling divisiveness; Swalwell trashes Price

Sheng Thao at a mayoral candidate forum at the Jack London Theatre in 2022. Opponents Loren Taylor and Treva Reid, in the background, could be candidates to replace her in a potential special election.

SCANDAL IN THE EAST BAY

—BROKELAND—Let’s be very clear about this: Not a single East Bay politico believes Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao will escape a recall on Nov. 5. Some predict she will be forced to resign prior to the election as more information about the FBI’s investigation is revealed, including possible indictments. Insiders and consultants that I’ve chatted with believe support for recalling Thao starts at 80 percent.

—If polling on this question returned such a high number, Thao’s consultants would immediately urge the mayor to resign, rather than face the ignominy of being the first elected official in Oakland history to be removed from office.

—Despite the data that may soon emerge, there’s consensus that Thao simply can’t resign due to her own personal finances.

—Thao’s job experience rests almost entirely as a government servant. Unlike many elected officials in the East Bay, Thao is not an attorney or born into wealth.

—Recall last year that Thao was in line for a $75,000 boost after just over six months on the job and amid extreme budget uncertainty. Thao said she had no input in the proposal. The wage bump was later approved for $13,000, raising Thao’s annual salary to $216,000.

—Furthermore, it’s unclear how her partner, Andre Jones, also an apparent target of the FBI investigation, earns a living nowadays.

—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.

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MORE INSIDE:

• ELECTION 2024: If there’s a special mayoral election in Oakland, who might run?

• CITY NEWS: Gallo protests idea of replacing Latina port commissioner

• Mayor missing from Newsom’s big announcement in Oakland

• Alameda homicides could loom large in city’s council race

• Dublin city manager announces retirement

• COUNTY NEWS: Newsom checked DA Price and she tried to check him back

• Group opposing Price recall says Newsom is stoking divisiveness

• Swalwell to DA Price: ‘Step up or step aside’

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