From homeless to city hall: the Hmong American mayor making history in Oakland

Sheng Thao, 37, is also the youngest Oakland mayor in 75 years and the first renter to hold the position. Photograph: Courtesy of the Sheng Thao campaign

At the steps of city hall, surrounded by supporters and a gaggle of press, Oakland’s new mayor-elect Sheng Thao exhaled.

“It’s been a long journey,” she began. “We’ve been through a lot to get to this moment right here.”