Candidates Outline Their Records and Priorities (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Oakland, Calif. — A sold-out crowd gathered at Oakstop in Oakland on Wednesday evening to question the three contenders vying for Alameda County District Attorney ahead of the June 2 primary election. Current DA Ursula Jones Dickson, recalled former DA Pamela Price seeking a comeback, and family law attorney Gopal Krishan fielded queries from moderators and attendees during the 90-minute event hosted by Berkeleyside and The Oaklandside.[1][2] The forum highlighted stark differences in their visions for tackling crime, supporting victims, and reforming the justice system in a county grappling with public safety concerns.
Candidates Outline Their Records and Priorities
Ursula Jones Dickson, appointed by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in January 2025 after Price’s recall, emphasized restoring focus on victims’ rights. A former Superior Court judge who handled juvenile cases and previously worked as a prosecutor in the DA’s office, she described her efforts to reorganize the agency. “The reason I left the bench to do this job is because I think victim’s rights are important and I felt that we lost sight of that over the last several years,” Jones Dickson said. She noted increases in property crime filings and the launch of a task force against organized retail theft.[1][2]
Pamela Price, a civil rights attorney recalled by voters in November 2024, defended her progressive reforms implemented during her 2022-2024 tenure. Those included limiting sentencing enhancements, barring most juvenile transfers to adult court, and charging officers in high-profile deaths like that of Mario Gonzalez. Price maintained her commitment to fairness. “I still believe in the core values that brought me to the District Attorney’s office, in fairness, in a system that treats everyone equally and a clear commitment to public safety,” she stated.[1]
Gopal Krishan, a 16-year veteran of family law with no prior elected experience, positioned himself as a protector of immigrants and marginalized groups. One in three Alameda County residents is an immigrant, he pointed out, many fearful amid federal enforcement pushes. “I’m going to be tough on organized crime,” Krishan declared. “I’m going to be tough on ICE. There will be no ICE in Alameda County, and I will make sure that no hate crime goes unpunished.”[1]
Forum Spotlights Contrasts in Approach
| Candidate | Background | Signature Stance |
|---|---|---|
| Ursula Jones Dickson | Incumbent DA, ex-judge/prosecutor | Prioritize victims, reverse reforms, boost prosecutions[2] |
| Pamela Price | Recalled DA, civil rights lawyer | Progressive reforms, police accountability, equity[3] |
| Gopal Krishan | Family law attorney, immigrant | Anti-ICE, zero tolerance for hate/organized crime[1] |
Moderators Alex Gecan and Natalie Orenstein posed questions on the office’s direction, sentencing enhancements, and building a just system. The DA’s office oversees 368 staff and a $111 million budget, wielding broad discretion on charges. Jones Dickson highlighted reversals of Price-era policies, such as reinstating minimum sentences for illegal guns and selective handling of police cases – dropping some while pursuing others. Price countered criticisms of her record, including prosecutorial errors and workplace issues, by blaming inherited disarray.[3][2]
Krishan stressed community protection, advocating non-cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Attendees like Rose Pratt-Nervis appreciated the local focus. “With politics going the way they are we first must fight at home in our own grounds before we start going anywhere else,” she said early in the evening.[1]
Crowd Interruptions Mark Tense Moments
The interactive format allowed community input, but it led to disruptions. Price drew sharp pushback when a man shouted about a personal experience: “My truck stolen and the guy who stole it murdered someone a year later and she didn’t charge the case.” Price responded that she supports victims but accused recall backers of misleading voters. “They mislead voters,” she said. “They told voters I was responsible for all the crime in Oakland.”[1]
Organizers intervened, urging the audience to refrain from interruptions and warning that non-compliant attendees should leave. No similar outbursts targeted the other candidates. The episode underscored lingering frustrations from Price’s tenure and the high stakes in a race where voters seek accountability on crime trends.[1]
Path to the June Primary
Free tickets for the in-person event sold out quickly, with a livestream enabling wider participation starting at 5 p.m. A recording remains available via Berkeleyside.[2] The forum comes as Alameda County voters prepare for the June 2 primary, where the top two advance to November unless one secures a majority.
With contrasting records – from Jones Dickson’s steady hand, Price’s bold reforms, and Krishan’s fresh outsider voice – the debate amplified the choices ahead. Residents left with clearer insights into how each might shape prosecutions amid ongoing debates over safety, equity, and trust in the system.
