‘Oakland is in a crisis’: Residents say it’s the worst they’ve ever seen but keep voting Progressive

Oakland is facing unprecedented challenges, with residents expressing frustration over rising crime, homelessness, and political scandals. Despite electing progressive leaders like Mayor Sheng Thao, many residents feel these issues have only worsened. Thao, who promised lenient crime policies, is now under FBI investigation and facing a recall. Critics argue that decades of Democratic leadership have led to Oakland's decline, pointing to the last Republican mayor's term ending in 1977 as the city's last period of stability. Residents are calling for a change, but whether they will vote differently remains uncertain.