In his concession speech, Taylor criticized the ranked-choice voting system.
Author Archives: Darwin BondGraham
Before joining The Oaklandside as News Editor, Darwin BondGraham worked with The Appeal, where he was an investigative reporter covering police and prosecutorial misconduct. He has reported on gun violence for The Guardian, and was an enterprise reporter for the East Bay Express. BondGraham's work has also appeared with KQED, ProPublica and other leading national and local outlets. He holds a doctorate in sociology from UC Santa Barbara and was the co-recipient of the George Polk Award for local reporting in 2017.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Sheng Thao’s path to victory in the Oakland mayor’s race
Allyssa Victory almost didn’t end up on the ballot, but her campaign’s supporters propelled Thao to victory in the ranked-choice runoff.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Sheng Thao tops Loren Taylor in Oakland mayor’s race
Thao will be Oakland’s next mayor, according to the final results posted by election officials Monday.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Sheng Thao narrowly leads Oakland mayor’s race after ballot count completed
Thao topped Taylor by 680 votes after election officials completed counting ballots on Friday evening.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Why does it take so long to count votes in Alameda County?
When will we know who won the Oakland mayor’s race? What does “100% reported” mean? And more ballot questions answered.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Loren Taylor still leads, but Oakland mayor’s race tightens
Sheng Thao has gained ground, with thousands of ballots left to count.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Loren Taylor maintains lead in Oakland mayor’s race
New results posted Thursday by election officials show Tayor with 35% of first round votes with Sheng Thao at 29%.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
All 10 Oakland ballot measures appear on track to pass
If early results hold, supporters say OUSD schools will maintain key funding and the city will have millions more to build affordable housing and infrastructure.
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City’s investigation of alleged misconduct by Sheng Thao started in June—not October
LeAna Powell complained to the Public Ethics Commission on June 20, days after she was fired, accusing mayoral candidate Thao of ordering city staffers to campaign for her.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
A guide to Oakland voter guides for the 2022 election
We don’t make endorsements. But we do round-up guides that help voters understand the candidates and issues.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Misconduct charges against Sheng Thao amplified by a blogger paid by an opponent
Zennie Abraham released a video with a former staffer’s allegations. He didn’t mention his work for another mayoral candidate—and the coal terminal plan they support.
Posted inArts & Community
Halloween was once a chaotic night of pranks and violence in the East Bay
Hordes of mischief-making children, punishing adults, rashes of theft, vandalism, and police crackdowns—Halloween in Oakland, Berkeley, and Alameda was once mayhem.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland’s election is heating up: Big spending by PACs, strategic alliances, and tweet backlash
A Kanye comment lands a candidate in hot water. Astonishing spending from unions and coal terminal developers. And more twists and turns.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Analysis: Oakland mayor’s race is all about public safety
Feelings—and misperceptions—about the size of Oakland’s police budget since the “defund” movement are likely to shape this election.
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Mayor Libby Schaaf strikes hopeful note in final state of the city speech
Despite rising violence, homelessness, and mass discontent, Schaaf told supporters the city is stronger after her 8 years in office.
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How ranked-choice voting works in Oakland elections
You don’t have to settle for 1 candidate for mayor, school board, and more. You can pick up to 5 through the city’s instant runoff process.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
East Oakland police chase leaves a bystander dead
Oakland police say a man wanted for brandishing a gun fled officers this morning, setting off a deadly chase.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Federal monitor warns of ‘deeply troubling’ disciplinary issues within Oakland Police Department
Two new internal affairs cases could derail OPD’s plan to finally shake off its federal watchdogs.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland mayor’s race: unions, coal terminal developers, and others are spending big on a few candidates
So far, Sheng Thao and Ignacio De La Fuente have benefitted the most from the fact that wealthy people, unions, and corporations can spend almost unlimited amounts in U.S. elections.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Election 2022: Here’s what Oakland residents want their next mayor to focus on
Homelessness, public safety, illegal dumping, and racial equity were among the priorities for voters we interviewed.