Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao shared what seemed like a farewell message on social media Friday evening as votes continued to be counted on her recall. In a heartfelt statement posted on X, Thao reflected on her tenure, calling it “the honor of my lifetime” to serve as Oakland’s first Hmong American mayor and celebrated the progress made during her term.
Thao highlighted her administration’s achievements, including a historic 35% drop in homicides, marking the first month in over a decade without a single murder in Oakland. She also noted strides in homelessness and housing, with over 1,500 affordable units under development this year, hundreds of encampments cleared, and significant advancements in city infrastructure, including a major IT investment in Oakland’s 9-1-1 system.
“It isn’t about me. It never has been,” Thao emphasized. “It has always been about Oakland.” She expressed pride in the legacy her administration leaves, asserting that changes made over the past two years will benefit Oakland for generations.