Sheng Thao considered using Oakland’s funds to cover her campaign debt, new documents suggest

OAKLAND – Nearly six months after Sheng Thao took office, she still owed tens of thousands of dollars to the campaign manager who had helped deliver her a victory.

Long-established state law prohibits politicians from using public funds to finance election campaigns, but in newly released records, Thao’s top staffer said her boss had considered the idea.

In a text message sent in June 2023, former chief of staff Leigh Hanson indicated the mayor wanted to use $50,000 from her office’s budget to make good on the campaign debt.