Photo Credit: Jeffery Joh’s Campaign Website
Growing up in San Ramon, Jeffery Joh watched his hometown evolve from a quiet suburb into a rapidly growing community. With a background in STEM, early experience volunteering on local campaigns starting in middle school, and time spent in Washington, D.C. and Europe, Joh is now stepping forward as a candidate for San Ramon City Council.
“I’ve always been excited about the political process,” Joh shares. “San Ramon has changed a lot, and I want to be a part of that change.” In an interview with OpGov.News, Joh discussed his campaign priorities, vision for economic growth, and plans to restore civic and resident engagement in San Ramon.
As a candidate for the San Ramon City Council, Joh cited his priority to place the economic development and commercial growth of San Ramon at the center of his campaign and platform to run. He cites untapped growth he personally encounters within San Ramon’s current landscape: while neighboring towns bolster diverse commercialized hubs, San Ramon residents continue to have to travel elsewhere for daily necessities or major retail.
“The Costco we shop at is in Danville, and the Asian supermarkets are in Dublin,” Joh notes. “Right now, there isn't much in San Ramon except boutique stores.”
In order to to address this gap, Joh advocates for a robust strategy to attract both corporate employers as well as everyday retail options; by fostering a commercial sector that simultaneously supports both startups and local businesses alongside major employers and retailers, San Ramon will be able to continue to offer high-skilled job opportunities while keeping tax dollars and amenities within city limits.
Development and housing continue to be on the minds of San Ramon residents as debate and discussion over council decisions on projects and fears of San Ramon may lose its individualism and character as a city continue. Joh asserts his view that this economic growth exists not a threat to the town's identity, but rather a great asset.
“Economic growth would be the biggest boost to San Ramon’s character,” Joh explains. While acknowledging that some advocate primarily for housing development, Joh emphasizes the necessity of a balanced approach—one that leans thoughtfully into business development to ensure the long-term stability of San Ramon.
When asked about specific changes he would push for on the council, Joh underscored the need for dedicated leadership focused entirely on growth. He proposes creating a specialized economic team and hiring an Economic Development Director whose sole mandate is actively recruiting businesses to San Ramon.
Beyond business growth, Joh explained his commitment to transparency and civic participation. In recent years, structural changes within local government have altered how decisions are made, particularly regarding planning and zoning.
“I want to see us bring back public review for a lot of our planning decisions,” Joh states, pointing out that supermajority requirements have been steadily eroded by council ordinances over the past few years. Reversing these policy shifts and reopening citizen engagement avenues is central to his plan for democratic accountability.
This information is corroborated in a prior OpGov.News report that reviewed San Ramon City Council Ordinance 534, which omitted an original 1999 supermajority requirement for Planning Commission and City Council of San Ramon to approve General Plan amendments, changing the requirements to a simple majority.
Joh’s vision for San Ramon’s future is grounded in fond memories of its past. “I grew up here as a child. I remember it being a quiet and quaint suburb, walking to middle school, going to an ice cream shop, and visiting a library that’s no longer there.”
To preserve that quality of life as the city expands, Joh envisions a genuine mixed-use community—one inspired by walkable, European-style downtowns where residents can live, work, shop, and gather naturally.
“A lot of our city council members have told us that our city will be mixed-use, but when I look at the current plans, it doesn’t look like it’s going that way,” Joh says. “Having that true mixed-use community is the ultimate ideal outcome.”
Ultimately, Joh believes that real civic engagement starts with listening. “If citizens want something different, then that path needs to be available,” he emphasizes. By combining technical insight, economic vision, and a commitment to public involvement, Jeffery Joh hopes to lead San Ramon toward a vibrant, sustainable future.
Correction or Addition? If you would like to add information to this report or suggest a correction, please contact me at alizeh.i@lead4earth.org.
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