Alameda County voters have ousted District Attorney Pamela Price in a historic recall, marking a significant shift away from progressive prosecutorial policies in California.
At a Glance
- Alameda County voters recalled District Attorney Pamela Price, a George Soros-backed prosecutor
- 64.8% of voters supported removing Price, while 35.2% voted to keep her
- This is the first time an elected district attorney has been removed from office in Alameda County’s history
- The recall follows similar actions against progressive prosecutors in San Francisco and Los Angeles
- California voters also passed Proposition 36, reversing reforms from Proposition 47 blamed for increased crime rates
Unprecedented Recall in Alameda County
In a decisive move, Alameda County voters have recalled District Attorney Pamela Price, marking the first time in the county’s history that an elected district attorney has been removed from office. The recall vote saw a significant majority, with 64.8% supporting Price’s removal and only 35.2% voting to keep her in office. This outcome reflects growing dissatisfaction with progressive prosecutorial policies in one of California’s traditionally liberal strongholds.
Price, who received backing from liberal billionaire George Soros, was part of a wave of left-wing prosecutors who gained prominence during the Black Lives Matter movement. Her tenure, however, was marred by rising crime rates and accusations of nepotism, including the controversial hiring of her boyfriend despite concerns about his record.
The separate efforts to recall Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price were headed toward victory Wednesday, based on early election results.
Here’s what happens next if one or both lose office: https://t.co/MR4rSjcy1v
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) November 7, 2024
Broader Implications for Progressive Prosecutors
The recall of Pamela Price is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend affecting progressive prosecutors across California. In San Francisco, voters recalled District Attorney Chesa Boudin in June 2022, while Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón recently lost his reelection bid by wide margins. These outcomes suggest a growing backlash against criminal justice reform policies that many voters perceive as ineffective in addressing rising crime rates.
“The recall targeting Alameda County’s top prosecutor resulted in success Tuesday night, potentially striking a blow to progressivism in the criminal justice system across in one of California’s bluest enclaves,” The San Jose Mercury News reported.
The recall of Price and the defeats of other Soros-backed prosecutors highlight a shift in public sentiment, even in traditionally liberal areas. Voters appear to be reassessing the impact of reform measures on public safety and quality of life issues.
Crime Rates and Public Perception
One of the key factors driving the recall was the perception of increased crime rates in Oakland and surrounding areas. Ironically, Price herself became a victim of crime when her laptop was stolen from her car, underscoring the very issues that concerned voters. The rise in criminal activity, particularly retail theft and looting, has been a significant concern for residents and businesses alike.
Recall organizers for Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price are looking toward the future as early results show East Bay voters are poised to oust both. https://t.co/6RV9PBUg1t
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) November 7, 2024
In response to these concerns, California voters also passed Proposition 36, which aims to reverse many of the reforms introduced by Proposition 47 in 2014. Proposition 47, which reduced certain theft and drug possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors, has been blamed for contributing to the increase in crime rates. The passage of Proposition 36 signals a desire among voters to recalibrate the balance between criminal justice reform and public safety.
