Alameda County
Superior Court Judge Ursula Jones Dickson Is New Alameda County DA
Dickson received three out of five votes from the Board in a three-round count. Contra Costa Assistant DA Annie K. Esposito and California Chief Deputy Attorney Venus Johnson were the other two candidates to advance into the final voting rounds, each receiving one vote in the end by Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas and Lena Tam.
By Magaly Muñoz
The Alameda Board of Supervisors selected Superior Court Judge Ursula Jones Dickson as the new District Attorney on Tuesday evening. The choice was made just weeks after the initial search for a new leader began.
Nearly three months after the recall election to oust former DA Pamela Price, Dickson was chosen to serve as the new department head until 2026, where voters will then have another chance to select a DA for the remainder of the term that ends in 2028.
Dickson received three out of five votes from the Board in a three-round count. Contra Costa Assistant DA Annie K. Esposito and California Chief Deputy Attorney Venus Johnson were the other two candidates to advance into the final voting rounds, each receiving one vote in the end by Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas and Lena Tam.
Dickson has been an Alameda judge since 2013, primarily presiding over juvenile and criminal cases, and previously worked for 14 years as a deputy DA in the Alameda office.
“[The district attorney] job at the beginning and at the end, the alpha and omega is to do what’s right for the community, protect the public, public safety and lift up the victims. That is what I’ve always done … I will continue to do that,” Dickson said.
In last week’s meeting where the seven candidates presented their vision for the role, Dickson said she would prioritize streamlining the process for attorneys to make quicker and more precise decisions, ensure the department’s budget is balanced, and address the divisions in the office that many attorneys have said started when Price was elected. She also wants to make sure the current team of attorneys is trained to be DAs, as many allegedly lack the necessary experience.
Dickson also offered a two-for-one deal to the Board during her speech, saying she would hire Esposito to be her right hand in the DAO if chosen for the next district attorney. She added that she’s ready to hit the ground running on day one in office and will bring on the best of the best attorneys to carry out her vision.
This proposition excited a few on the dais and dozens of residents who spoke out in support during a lengthy public comment session.
Members of the recall group Save Alameda For Everyone, or SAFE, strongly endorsed Dickson and Esposito, saying they had what it takes to change the office around and “bring justice” to a much needed community that has been at the face of public safety concerns in recent times.
SAFE founders Carl Chan and Brenda Grisham advised the Board against choosing Johnson because she works for allegedly “corrupt” Attorney General Rob Bonta, the newest politician on the group’s no-no list. They allege that with his endorsement of Johnson, Bonta was attempting to influence and control politics in Alameda for his own gain.
However, that did not deter the Supervisors from expressing support and praise for Johnson.
Supervisor Nate Miley shared his top choices, Johnson and Dickson, saying either would make a great DA that could lead the office and county in the best direction.
“This is one of the most difficult and challenging decisions,” Miley said about the selection process.
Dickson will be sworn into the role next Tuesday.
