Pamela Price Launches Campaign for Alameda County District Attorney

Pamela Price, a Democrat, is making a comeback in the race for district attorney in Alameda County, just a year after being removed from the position in a significant recall election.

Her announcement on Thursday coincided with the recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across California. In November 2024, Price was ousted from her role as the county’s leading prosecutor by a hefty 26-point margin, with many voters attributing the rise in crime to her policies, according to CBS News.

At a news conference, Price stated, “I want to address ICE and any federal agency that violates our state laws, just stand back and investigate.” She added, “No one is above the law. My approach is all about fairness and firmness in every case. True justice is accessible to all, and it certainly can’t be bought by billionaires.”

Price is among several Democratic candidates for prosecutor nationwide who have received backing from political action committees and organizations associated with left-leaning billionaire George Soros.

During Price’s time in office, Oakland, the largest city in Alameda County, reported a spike in murders—the highest in a decade. In 2023, there were 126 murders, alongside significant rises in other violent crimes.

Interestingly, violent crime rates began to decline almost immediately after Price’s departure from office. Her successor, District Attorney Ursula Jones Dixon, has reported reductions in homicides, robberies, rapes, and aggravated assaults since taking over.

Following Price’s announcement, Save Alameda for Everyone (SAFE AC), a local public safety organization, criticized her bid to regain office, labeling it “an insult to victims and a threat to public safety,” and characterized her move as a misguided attempt to reclaim power.

Moreover, Price’s leadership previously led to discontent among career prosecutors, with many citing misconduct, retaliatory actions, and a hesitancy to prosecute violent offenders. Eventually, the Alameda County Prosecutor’s Association voted to remove Price from office shortly before voters approved her recall.

In light of these events, California Governor Gavin Newsom has since taken steps to address some of the crime issues that have emerged, partially attributing them to Price’s policies.

At her press briefing, Price declared her motivations were rooted in love: “We stand here today with love—for our community, our families, and for justice.”