Sheng Thao
| |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2024 | |
| 51st Mayor of Oakland | |
| In office January 9, 2023 – December 17, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Libby Schaaf |
| Succeeded by | Nikki Fortunato Bas (acting) |
| President pro tempore of the Oakland City Council | |
| In office January 4, 2021 – January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Dan Kalb |
| Succeeded by | Dan Kalb |
| Member of the Oakland City Council from 4th district | |
| In office January 2019 – January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Annie Campbell Washington |
| Succeeded by | Janani Ramachandran |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 18, 1985 Stockton, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Merritt College (AA) University of California, Berkeley (BA) |
Sheng Thao (RPA: Seeb Thoj, Pahawh: 𖬀𖬶𖬤𖬵 𖬒𖬲𖬟𖬰; born July 18, 1985) is an American politician who served as the 51st mayor of Oakland, California from 2023 to 2024. She was the first Hmong American mayor of a major city in the United States. She was elected as mayor of Oakland in November 2022 and started her term in January 2023. On November 5, 2024, Thao was recalled. She was the first mayor in Oakland's history to be recalled. She has been indicted on federal bribery charges.
During her tenure as mayor, Thao pledged to focus on crime, homelessness, and affordable housing. Thao's administration faced a series of challenges, including public safety, business departures and budget deficits. In June 2024, the FBI raided the home Thao shares with her partner Andre Jones and their two children as part of an ongoing investigation. On August 6, 2024, Oakland's police union called on Thao to resign. In January 2025, Thao was criminally indicted by a grand jury on federal bribery charges.