A powerful union suddenly backed a recall campaign targeting embattled Oakland Mayor Shen Tao, after her campaign “falsely” claimed on Wednesday that it had support from the group. In response, the Democratic Party declared it “cannot be trusted.”

Oaklanders Defending Democracy, the anti-recall group represented by Thao, posted on its website on Monday an image of the Northern California Carpenters Union, which opposes the recall despite not supporting Thao. According to From a press release issued on Wednesday. The union is now supporting her recall, highlighting her actions in the debacle and the city’s growing problems under her administration.

“Mayor Sheng Tao has disrespected our 36,000 members. Her false use of our name and logo shows she can’t be trusted,” said Jay Bradshaw, the union’s executive director. stated in a press release. “Additionally, she is committed to serving our members, many of whom live and work in Oakland and who suffer from high crime rates, a lack of affordable housing, and other ills facing our city. I didn’t have the strength of character to even apologize for my transgression.” (Stream the Daily Caller documentary “American Squatter” here)

The recall effort against Tao coincides with an explosion in crime across the city, with a 2023 citywide crime report showing a 44% increase in auto thefts and a 38% increase in robberies compared to 2022. % increase, violent crime increased by 21%, and overall crime increased by 17%. Tao also reduced the number of open positions at the Oakland Police Department (OPD) from 728 to 678. According to Off to Oaklandside in August.

Tao’s recall approval rating is 56%. According to From a Binder Research July poll. Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, who is also facing recall, has more support: 37% of respondents support recall, 41% support recall, and 22% are undecided. It was shown that

NCCU officially supports the recall of Oakland Mayor Shen Tao. Read the full press release below. pic.twitter.com/Qf87RNUf1K

— Nor Cal Carpenters Union (@NorCalCarpU) October 30, 2024

“Currently, the City of Oakland is in a downward spiral due to Mayor Thao’s administration’s lack of leadership,” Bradshaw said in a press release. “The city is facing bankruptcy. We have lost millions of dollars in state funding to fight retail theft. Crime against individuals, small businesses, and neighborhoods is out of control. Mayor Tao and her campaign failed to even submit a statement to the Official Voter Guide about why she should remain in office.”

On Monday, the union sent a cease and desist letter to Tao and filed ethics complaints with the Oakland Public Ethics Commission and the California Fair Political Practices Commission over the use and endorsement of the logo, according to a press release. .

“Our union values ​​the honor and integrity of our members, and we must protect our members, our working families, and the residents of the city of Oakland we call home,” Bradshaw said in a press release. stated in the release.

Tao’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.

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