Alameda County DA search: Here are the 7 finalists
Read the applications and see how to follow along as the process continues.
Six past or present Alameda County prosecutors and Alameda's city attorney have been selected as finalists for the vacant Alameda County district attorney role following the recall of Pamela Price.
All seven finalists are set to be interviewed by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in what is expected to be an hours-long public meeting Tuesday.
"This is such an important decision," Board President David Haubert said Thursday. "We're committed to taking that time. I've cleared my schedule and we'll plan to meet here as long as it takes."
In a public meeting Thursday, the board considered 15 DA candidates and ultimately chose to interview seven of them next week.
Here are the 7 people to be interviewed for the vacant Alameda County DA position: Annie Esposito (5 votes), Venus Johnson (4 votes), Ursula Jones Dickson (4 votes); Elgin Lowe (5 votes), Jimmie Wilson (4 votes). Board added LD Louis and Yiben Shen by motion.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
The six finalists with ties to the Alameda County DA's office are Annie Esposito, Venus Johnson, Judge Ursula Jones Dickson, Elgin Lowe, Jimmie Wilson and LD Louis.
Five of them — Esposito, Johnson, Jones Dickson, Lowe and Wilson — advanced through a two-round voting process while Louis and Shen were added by motion.
Here are their applications.
- Annie Esposito
- Venus Johnson
- Ursula Jones Dickson
- Elgin Lowe
- Jimmie Wilson
- LaTricia (L.D.) Louis
- Yiben Shen
Most of the public commenters who spoke Thursday were split largely into two camps: those advocating for continuing criminal justice reform, diversion and mental health services and those saying the new DA needs to take a "tough on crime" approach.
But there was also apparent consensus that the new DA should be not only fair but also an experienced manager.
Whoever is selected to fill the DA role would need to run for a two-year term in 2026 and then for the full four-year term in 2028 if they wanted to continue as Alameda County's district attorney.
Before the vote, supervisors said they were fortunate to have a "strong field of candidates" who represented the high "level of expertise we have in this county."
Supervisor Nate Miley said his priorities included not only selecting an experienced prosecutor but also someone who would be electable in the years ahead to ensure continuity in the DA's office.
Miley also noted that he was "not looking for a public defender," but someone with a balanced approach who would "hit the ground running."
The interviews are set to begin Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. See the Alameda County website for the agenda and live-stream link when they are posted.
Live coverage
The Berkeley Scanner often live-tweets meetings as they happen. Follow TBS on X.
We're here at the Alameda County Board of Supervisors meeting where they are set to choose the DA candidate finalists to interview next week. All of this will happen in public meetings that are also streamed online. Today's link: https://t.co/vFwgVnqXwl
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Here's the background with information and applications from all 15 candidates vying to become Alameda County's next district attorney after the recall of Pamela Price. We're expecting the board to choose 3-5 finalists to interview next week. BKGD: https://t.co/KhxzpeXpLa
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
If you haven't seen the agenda for today's BOS meeting, here it is: https://t.co/jCSqkIVR6u
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
County Administrator Susan Muranishi says the DA finalist vote will happen in several rounds. They will pick the top 3 in the first round; up to 2 more in the next round (?); and then candidates TBD in the third round. Sounds confusing; hopefully will make sense as it happens.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Retired Santa Clara prosecutor Scott Tsui, one of the 15 DA candidates, is the first up for public comment. If you're watching the online feed, you can see DA candidates Butch Ford and LD Louis sitting behind the speaker.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
DA candidate Scott Tsui: "I will bring a fresh sense of professionalism in fighting for my home county."
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Next speaker is Carl Chan, one of the main Pamela Price recall organizers. SAFE, the recall committee, endorsed three candidates after interviewing 10 of them: Judge Ursula Jones Dickson, Annie Esposito and Amilcar "Butch" Ford. All three are former Alameda County prosecutors.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Public commenter Myrna (online): "Please choose wisely to keep us moving forward on the path to "care first, jails last." Now, online speaker Elton, in favor of Elgin Lowe:
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
"This man's commitment to justice and fairness is remarkable. His record speaks volumes."
Going back a bit, here's the letter from @Recall_Price: https://t.co/5ylrkhHLgv
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Now, speaker John Jones III: "I want a DA who understands the environment folks come from." Jones continues: "True public safety is really understanding the root causes of crime and violence," someone who understands Oakland. He endorses Venus Johnson and LD Louis.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Natasha Baker says board must commit to its "Care first, jails last" policy: "We need a DA who understands and is going to push to divert people who are mentally ill, who are struggling with addiction, into treatment." Her picks: Ocean Mottley, Kwixuan Maloof, Venus Johnson.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
A speaker from a group called Families Advocating for the Seriously Mentally Ill backs LD Louis, says Louis "understands that people with serious mental illness have an illness." Says Louis is fair, non-aligned and worthy of respect, w/history of advocacy for the mentally ill.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
"We do not achieve safety with punitive policies like Three Strikes," says Jean Moses of the Interfaith Coalition for Justice in our Jails. "We have to continue to move forward." Calls for candidate who will reduce jail costs, emphasize diversion for people who need support.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Taqua Bonner, housing advocate for All of Us or None, asks board to choose DA candidates with a focus on alternatives to incarceration. Followed by Berkeley activist Rivka Polatnick who asks board to pick candidates seeking justice reform along the lines of Price's platform.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Chris Moore, another Price recall organizer: "We want change. We tried Pamela Price and we tried her policies in Alameda County — and it's clearly been devastating to the community."
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Cara Silver from the Alameda city attorney's office, says she and more than 20 of her colleagues support DA candidate City Attorney Yiben Shen: his track record of effective leadership, creating a collaborative work environment and implementing bold and innovative programs.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Doug Blacksher of the Black Business Round Table: "As a 62-year resident of Oakland, I have never seen it look this bad." He asks for a DA who puts safety and services first: "This vote to recall both the mayor and the district attorney is a wake-up to you politicians."
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Speaker Karen (sp?) says the Price recall was NOT a vote for more policing or the "failed policies of the past." Says the community does not want to see "punitive punishment" but does want a DA who will support healing Alameda County and pursuing "real justice."
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
To some extent, there are 2 main camps speaking: Those saying community still wants a "Care first, jails last" approach, diversion, reimagining social justice, alternatives to incarceration; and those saying, "enough is enough" and we need more of a "tough on crime" approach.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Many speakers (in both "camps") also emphasize need for fairness and experience. A number of people have called in for Elgin Lowe and even more for L.D. Louis, saying she has been an advocate for supporting folks with mental illness BUT ALSO has a strong prosecution background.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Last speaker, a caller from the @ellabakercenter in Oakland, says the new Alameda County district attorney will decide how the county approaches immigration "and how we stand up to the right-wing, dangerous and very scary presidency that we're entering."
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Board President @DaveHaubert calls for recess until 3:10 p.m. so board members can reflect on public comments and get thoughts in order. He suggests that the board members write down their top 5 choices. County counsel says: Perhaps don't! (So they don't create public records.)
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
First-round Alameda County DA finalist picks: Annie Esposito (5 votes), Venus Johnson (4 votes) and Ursula Jones Dickson (4 votes). Now, moving onto the second-round vote.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
First-round DA votes. Moving onto the second round now. pic.twitter.com/pCHP0hQvLh
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Second-round DA candidate picks: Elgin Lowe (5), Jimmie Wilson (4) and LaTricia (L.D.) Louis (3).
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Here's the tally. Now they are deciding if they want to stop at five candidates. If not, LD Louis would NOT make the cut. "Five is a lot to choose from," says Supervisor @emarqana. pic.twitter.com/2ePc1174GJ
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
County counsel clarifies: They don't have to go to Round 3 or in fact CANNOT because there was no tie in Round 2. BUT: They can make a motion to add people to the list because they did not cap it at five people.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Motion from Supervisor @emarqana to add Yiben Shen to the list. Motion carries with abstention from Supervisor @Nikkiforallofus. Supervisor @Nate_Miley makes motion to include LD Louis, which carries unanimously. Seven DA candidates will now be interviewed next week.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Miley: "I've known LD for a long time, seen her work when she was with the DA's office, now county counsel." He said he heard a "number of speakers speak to her merits. I think she warrants and merits an interview."
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Board is set to meet Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. for interviews (also public). They are allowed to give presentations up to 10 minutes. Board will ask questions, which do not need to be the same for each. They are discussing whether to change the start time due to so many interviews.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Tuesday's process: Sounds like they will take opening presentations from candidates followed by board questions with public comment to follow. You can see the finalist's applications here with final selection by the board (in public) on Jan. 28. BKGD: https://t.co/KhxzpeXpLa
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) January 16, 2025
Read live tweets from Thursday's meeting on X. Stay tuned to The Berkeley Scanner for continuing coverage.
