When Nancy O’Malley stepped down from the district attorney’s office in January of 2023, voters were unsettled about the future. Crime hadn’t been down in years and communities were growing more hopeless. The next D.A. would inherit chaos.
Enter O’Malley’s successor, current District Attorney Pamela Price. In a county worn down by lawlessness, Price touted a polarizing platform. She championed police reform and compassion for incarcerated individuals. She envisioned an overhaul of the criminal justice system that would lead to fewer youth behind bars, abolishment of the death penalty and fairer sentences for people of color. These are the values she campaigned on. Now, these same values could cost Price her seat. Within just 24 months of her six-year tenure, the D.A. is facing a recall election, scheduled for November 5.
This recall is the culmination of months of grassroots organizing by Alameda County voters. One group, called “Save Alameda for Everyone” (SAFE) spearheaded the movement to unseat Price, calling her “soft on crime” and accusing her of declining to charge cases. Particularly, SAFE advocates have shown apprehension over the D.A.’s new directive that shortens prison sentences. Fearful that Price prioritizes offender wellbeing over public safety, SAFE merged with community leaders and launched a petition to remove her, which garnered over 100,000 signatures and was certified by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in April of this year. Since then, pro-recall groups have steamrolled ahead, urging voters to keep up the momentum as they prepare to make their voices heard in November.
But Price hasn’t taken these shots lying down. Even as calls to have her ousted intensify, the disgraced county official is standing by her policies, claiming that shortened sentences can reduce recidivism. She has also alleged that Republican special interest groups are fueling the recall, saying conservative voters have not traditionally connected with alternative policing.
At the crux of this upset are questions that could reveal how people feel about criminal justice in Alameda County: will the historically progressive region see out Price’s vision? Or will it give her the boot and hold out for a candidate with a more heavy handed approach to prosecution? In a moment that could define the county’s future, it’s up to the citizens to decide the way forward.
Alameda County: Supervisor race heats up in District 5
What was originally eight candidates vying for Keith Carson’s highly coveted seat has now been whittled down to two. Oakland city council President Nikki Fortunato Bas and Emeryville city council member John J. Bauters are now sprinting toward the November finish line in what’s arguably one of the most highly anticipated local races this election season. The seat represents Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Piedmont and part of Oakland.
Despite maintaining a low profile, the county board of supervisors governs some of the most critical programs and departments in the region, including social and health services. They also oversee the county budget.
Both candidates cite homelessness as a high priority issue in their campaigns. Bas promises to expand access to mental health and substance abuse services, while Bauter emphasizes building shelters. Also front and center on both platforms are affordable housing and public safety.
Contra Costa County:
Over in Contra Costa County, Shanelle Scales-Preston and Mike Barbanica are going head to head for Supervisor Federal Glover’s seat when he retires this year after a six-year term. Stakes are high; this will be the first time the seat was up for grabs since 2000. The candidates compete in a historic election to influence policy in District 5, which includes the cities of Martinez, Hercules, Pittsburg, Rodeo, and parts of Pinole and Antioch, as well as unincorporated communities.
Both candidates boast experience as city council members. They have a shared vested interest in solving the homelessness crisis, as is standard for Bay Area politicians. However, besides a couple of key issues, these candidates differ significantly in their priorities and the followings they’ve built. A former cop, Barbanica has secured a number of endorsements from various law enforcement agencies. By late September, a pro-Barbanica political action committee had raised over $400,000 to funnel into his campaign, the group being mostly police officers and dispatchers. Clearly, Barbanica’s law-and-order centered campaign is resonating with the voters in uniform.
Preston, on the other hand, appeals to voters who are moved by the plight of marginalized groups. Her platform prioritizes community empowerment, which she defines as engaging with diverse communities, encouraging open dialogue and incorporating citizens’ voices in legislative decision making. Preston’s resume arguably features the most coveted endorsement: that of outgoing Supervisor Glover. But with the funds that have been raised from public safety departments, it’s evident her opponent puts up a serious fight. Preston seems more aligned with the values of the previous supervisor, but could CoCo County be ready for something different?
