(PLEASANTON, Calif.) – This November, Pleasanton voters will choose between incumbent Mayor Jack Balch and City Councilmember Julie Testa in a two-candidate mayoral race. The race appeared to be headed to an uncontested election until Testa completed filing in the final week of the nomination period.
Mayor Balch, a Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Global Management Accountant, and real-estate professional, is running for a second term. Balch has been involved with the City of Pleasanton since 2009 when he served as a Parks & Recreation and Planning Commissioner and has served on the City Council since 2020.
Photo Credits: City of Pleasanton / Mayoral Candidates Jack Balch (Left) and Julie Testa (Right)
Testa, a nearly 40-year Pleasanton resident, has served on the City Council since 2018. She has also served on multiple subcommittees, including the Alameda County Liaison Committee, Dublin San Ramon Services District Liaison Committee and the Tri-Valley Transportation Council.
Fiscal responsibility is among the top priorities of both candidates. According to Balch’s campaign website, “Jack brings unparalleled financial expertise to ensure that Pleasanton’s resources will be managed wisely and effectively.”
Testa’s campaign platform calls for maintaining responsible and sustainable budgets with future generations in mind. She also prioritizes evaluating major spending and long-term financial commitments prior to approving them.
On housing and development, both candidates say Pleasanton must meet state-mandated housing requirements while preserving the city’s character.
Public safety is another issue in this race. According to Balch’s campaign website, “Safety is about more than statistics; it’s about peace of mind. But the numbers tell us that property crimes and juvenile arrests are up, as are police response times.”
Photo Credit: City of Pleasanton / Average Response Times from Pleasanton PD from 2022 through 2025
Data from the Pleasanton Police Department shows that response times have increased by more than two minutes, supporting Balch’s claim about response time. But the department paints a different picture of property crime and juvenile arrests. An annual report released by the Pleasanton Police Department on May 5 reported 1,500 property crimes in 2023 and 1,278 in 2024. In 2025, the department reported 1,043 property crimes, a decline of 235 from 2024. The department also reported 45 juvenile arrests in 2024, a four-year low, followed by 46 in 2025. Overall, juvenile arrests remain well below the 2023 total of 90.
While certain crimes, including homicide and rape, increased by one incident, other crime categories varied. The department reported 1,362 total crimes in 2024. In 2025 that number was 1,138, a decline of 224 and another four-year low.
Testa similarly prioritizes maintaining stronger first responder services and increased public safety as one of the city's priorities.
Both candidates share several priorities, including fiscal responsibility, public safety, and responsibility for growth and housing development. Both have also emphasized the importance of the community’s well-being, the local economy, and quality of life.
With both candidates having served on the City Council for multiple terms, their respective records and approaches to the city’s future will be a central consideration for voters this November.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at joel.m@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below with your thoughts.
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