MEET THE NEW BOSS
Same as the old boss.
Former mayor Sheng Thao is on trial for bribery and corruption. But the Oakland city Machine that elected Thao is still running City Hall today.
After voters threw Thao out of office and the feds indicted her, the city hall Machine was desperate to cling to power. It chose Barbara Lee as its new figurehead. Barbara Lee defended Thao against the recall, and still hasn’t recanted that support. The Machine rewarded Lee by throwing its support behind her mayoral campaign. Sheng Thao is on trial... but the Machine isn’t (yet).
Public sector unions, the Chamber of Commerce, Piedmont billionaire Quinn Delaney, California Waste Solutions, and “progressive” nonprofit activists are still firmly in control at city hall...