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Pamela Price will run again for Alameda County district attorney in the June 2026 primary election, less than a year after being removed from office in a recall vote.
At a press conference Thursday in Hayward, Price framed her campaign as a battle against wealthy interests, corporate corruption, and Trump-aligned forces. “We need to show Donald Trump and his billionaire friends — whether they’re in Washington or Piedmont — that justice is not for sale in Alameda County,” Price declared at the Blessings of Faith Worship Center.
Her reference to Piedmont appeared to target Philip Dreyfuss, the primary financial backer of the successful recall campaign that removed her from office. Nearly 63% of voters supported her removal in that special election.
Price leveled sharp criticism at current District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson, who was appointed by the Board of Supervisors following the recall. She accused Jones Dickson of failing to hold law enforcement accountable, citing an October 23 incident in which a Customs and Border Protection agent shot an Oakland pastor in the face with a chemical irritant during a protest against Trump’s immigration crackdown operations.
“I will say to ICE and any other federal agents who violate state law, ‘Eff around and find out,'” Price stated, making it clear she believes local prosecutors should pursue charges against federal agents who break state laws.
Civil rights attorney Walter Riley, speaking in support of Price, argued that the recall represented an attempt by economic elites to control local politics. “The working people in this country have to not allow the political and economic elite to determine who’s in office, how much money’s being spent on campaigns, and who’s going to win,” he said.
Since leaving office, Price has been vocal about her disagreements with Jones Dickson’s approach. The current DA has reversed several of Price’s signature policies, including her directive against filing sentencing enhancements in most cases and her review of death penalty cases potentially tainted by prosecutorial misconduct.
“When our DA refuses to look at cases we know were infected with racism and antisemitism, she is holding hands with racists and antisemites,” Price asserted.
Jones Dickson responded to Price’s announcement with a pointed statement: “Former District Attorney Pamela Price was recalled by 63% of Alameda County voters. She’s welcome to make the case, less than a year after that recall, that they were wrong. I trust the judgment of Alameda County voters.” The current DA added that she “inherited a demoralized office and a charging backlog of more than 2,000 cases” from Price’s administration.
During Price’s brief tenure, a federal judge had ordered her office to review over two dozen death penalty cases dating back decades, where Alameda County prosecutors allegedly systematically excluded Black and Jewish people from juries. Some defendants in those cases have since been removed from death row, and at least one conviction was overturned.
However, after taking office, Jones Dickson withdrew multiple outstanding resentencing requests, with prosecutors under her leadership claiming Price’s administration had failed to thoroughly review the cases before seeking resentencing.
Price also criticized Jones Dickson’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit against Radius Recycling, a West Oakland scrap metal recycling facility. Price had previously announced a 10-count criminal indictment against the company and two employees over an August 2023 fire that released toxic smoke over Oakland. Jones Dickson later dropped the case, citing “insufficient evidence.”
Price’s initial election in November 2022 came amid a national wave of reform-minded prosecutors following the murder of George Floyd. She won with 53% of the vote on a platform promising criminal justice reform and police accountability. But public sentiment shifted shortly after she took office.
Critics accused Price of being too lenient on crime, particularly after implementing policies against charging minors as adults and limiting the use of sentencing enhancements. Some residents connected Oakland’s crime issues directly to her prosecutorial philosophy. Price also faced scrutiny for hiring her boyfriend without proper disclosure and was accused by some prosecutors of creating a toxic workplace that prompted the departure of experienced attorneys.
The recall campaign launched almost immediately after Price began her term, with crime victims’ advocates and homicide victims’ family members supporting her removal. The successful recall signaled a continued public backlash against progressive criminal justice reforms in the region.
As Price launches her comeback bid, the 2026 election is shaping up as a referendum on competing visions of criminal justice in Alameda County, with implications for how the region balances public safety concerns with calls for systemic reform.
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14 Comments
The issue of police accountability is a crucial one for voters, and Price’s criticisms of the current DA’s record in this area could be a key part of her platform.
It will be interesting to see how Price positions herself as a criminal justice reform candidate and whether she can convince voters that she’s the right person for the job.
The involvement of Trump-aligned forces in this race is concerning and worth further investigation. Voters will want to understand the full scope of political influence at play.
Price’s comments about wealthy interests trying to influence the race are intriguing. Voters will want to see concrete evidence to back up these claims.
Interesting to see the recall dynamics at play here. It will be worth watching how this race develops and whether Price can win back the voters’ trust after the previous recall vote.
Price’s focus on corporate corruption and wealthy interests could resonate with some voters, but she’ll need a clear and compelling vision to overcome the recall.
This race will be an important test of the political landscape in Alameda County. With high-profile backers on both sides, it could become a heated campaign.
The fact that nearly two-thirds of voters supported Price’s recall is a significant hurdle for her to overcome. She’ll need a compelling vision to win back that trust.
This race could have significant implications for the broader political landscape in Alameda County. Voters will be closely watching to see how it unfolds.
The fact that Price is running again so soon after the recall vote suggests she’s confident in her ability to win back the support of Alameda County voters.
Price’s comments about Trump-aligned forces and wealthy interests trying to influence the race are worth investigating further. Voters will want to understand the dynamics at play.
The involvement of wealthy backers like Philip Dreyfuss in the recall campaign is certainly noteworthy. Voters will want to know how this shapes the political landscape.
The allegations against the current DA around lack of police accountability are concerning. Voters will likely be looking for a strong criminal justice reform candidate to address these issues.
Price’s criticism of the current DA seems pointed, but she’ll need to back it up with detailed policy proposals to convince voters.