Pamela Price, the former Alameda County District Attorney who was removed from office by voters last year amidst a significant rise in crime, has declared her intention to run for the same position again in 2026.
A Controversial Tenure and a Decisive Recall
Price, a progressive former defence attorney, was elected in November 2022 with 53% of the vote on a platform focused on criminal justice reform and police accountability. Her promises included reducing sentences for young defendants and cracking down on police misconduct.
However, her time in office was marked by controversy. Oakland witnessed a 21% increase in overall crime during her tenure, with robberies soaring by 38% and vehicle theft skyrocketing by 45%. In 2023 alone, approximately 15,000 cars were stolen in the city.
Facing intense criticism over these statistics and accusations of being too lenient on offenders, Price was subject to a recall vote. In 2024, nearly 63% of Alameda County voters supported her removal from office.
Launching a Comeback with Sharp Criticisms
At a press conference on Thursday, flanked by supporters, Price formally announced her campaign to become District Attorney once more in the June 2026 election. She framed her bid as a fight against corruption and a flawed justice system.
"I am fighting for real solutions that stop the shootings, strengthen prevention efforts and protect every neighborhood in this county," Price stated.
She launched pointed attacks on several fronts. Price criticised federal immigration enforcement, vowing to confront ICE agents who "violate state law." She also positioned herself against billionaire influence, specifically calling out Philip Dreyfuss, who largely funded the recall campaign against her.
Her most direct criticism was reserved for her successor, Ursula Jones Dickson, who was appointed after the recall. Price accused Jones Dickson of reversing her progressive policies and claimed she "refuses to look at cases we know were infected with racism and antisemitism."
Strong Opposition and Defence from Supporters
The reaction to her announcement was swift and polarised. The group SAFE (Save Alameda for Everyone), which led the recall effort, labelled her comeback attempt "an insult to victims, a threat to public safety and a delusional bid to reclaim power she abused."
Victims' rights advocate Brenda Grisham argued, "Crime is finally going down because she's gone." Carl Chan, a community leader in Oakland's Chinatown, stated that under Price, violence had "exploded" and the community "lived in fear."
Conversely, Price's supporters defended her record. Longtime civil rights attorney Walter Riley suggested the recall was bankrolled by wealthy elites whose interests clashed with those of working-class and marginalised communities. Community activist Tur-Ha Ak argued that progressive women of colour were "never given a fair chance" to address crises that began under previous administrations.
When questioned about what she would do differently, Price said she would assess what works rather than simply reviving old policies. District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson, responding to the challenge, said she trusted the judgment of the voters who had recalled Price by a significant margin.
