If Oaklanders vote to recall Mayor Sheng Thao, the city could end up with three different mayors within a year, and the leadership vacuum won’t stop there—it would also leave the City Council with significantly less seasoned leadership.

1. Interim Mayor: After the recall, the City Council President would temporarily step in as mayor. But if Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas wins her race for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, or if the council is reshuffled, a less experienced council member could end up taking the top spot.

2. Special Election Mayor: A special election will follow within 120 days, adding even more uncertainty as a new mayor takes office and serves only until the 2026 election.

3. Mayor Elected in 2026: After the special election, Oaklanders will head into another mayoral election for 2026, meaning up to three different mayors in a very short period.

At the same time, Oakland’s City Council will be losing several experienced members. Councilmembers Dan Kalb and Treva Reid are both leaving, along with at-large member Rebecca Kaplan. With the council facing so much turnover, it’s likely that newer and less experienced members will be leading the council and the city during this time of crisis.

This lack of seasoned leadership, combined with multiple transitions in the mayor’s office, would create instability and hinder Oakland’s ability to address critical issues effectively.