By Stuti Pemmaraju, News and Life Editor
Image courtesy of LinkedIn
As the 2026 Alameda County District Attorney election approaches, candidates are debating how the county should handle public safety, criminal justice reform, and transparency with residents.
The candidates in the race include current District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson, former DA Pamela Price, and Fremont attorney Gopal Krishan.
Why This Election Matters
While most students take an interest in presidential election campaigns, few students give much thought to local elections that have a direct impact on the community in which they live. As part of the prosecution team of any case involving crime, juvenile cases, and community response measures for offenses like theft, armed robbery, hate crimes, and so forth, the District Attorney plays an important role.
As the city of Hayward is in the county of Alameda, decisions made by the incoming District Attorney will have a direct impact on the local schools, families, and neighborhood areas connected with Moreau.
Ursula Jones Dickson
Ursula Jones Dickson, courtesy of wikipedia.com
Following the recall of Pamela Price in 2024, Jones Dickson became the district attorney. In her tenure as district attorney, she believes that her administration’s priority is to restore stability and confidence in the DA’s office amid politically tumultuous times (source).
Pamela Price
Pamela Price served as the district attorney for Alameda County and was recalled in 2024 by 63% of voters because her policies were said to be too lenient (source). She seeks the office again and continues to advocate for progressive reform-oriented prosecutorial policies designed to address inequalities in the criminal justice system based on race.
Gopal Krishnan
Gopal Krishnan, courtesy of electgopal.com
Gopal Krishan is an attorney from Alameda County who practices immigration and family law. His campaign revolves around issues related to crime and public safety, and he believes that the people of his community need better information from the District Attorney’s Office concerning crime statistics and policies (source).
Why Students Should Get More Involved
Despite the fact that many high school students do not get the right to vote until years later, learning about local politics can be quite educational. Understanding local elections helps students become more informed about issues affecting their communities and prepares them to participate in future elections.
Students can get involved by:
- researching candidates,
- attending community forums,
- joining the campaign team and volunteering/helping out with any tasks needed,
- discussing issues with classmates and family members,
- following local news,
- and even small things like putting a sign up in their front yard!
In conclusion, the 2026 Alameda County DA Race goes beyond being a political battle; it is a choice regarding the future of safety and justice in places such as Hayward and throughout the county.
About the Author
