Councilmember Julie Testa has taken an initial step toward a possible Pleasanton mayoral campaign, obtaining nomination paperwork from the city on July 29. The source report said she had signaled interest in running, but it was not yet clear whether she would proceed as a candidate.
The city’s nomination window closes Aug. 7. If Testa enters the race, the report said she would be the only challenger identified against incumbent Mayor Jack Balch. “An unchallenged mayoral race denies voters the public debate that shapes accountability,” Testa told The Independent.
Testa was first elected to the Pleasanton City Council in 2018. After the city moved from at-large council seats to district elections in 2022, she won the District 3 seat, representing the southwest area of Pleasanton.
Her civic experience listed in the report includes work as a human services commissioner and board service with Tri-Valley REACH and the Tri-Valley chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Her current council assignments include the Alameda County Liaison Committee, Dublin San Ramon Services District Liaison Committee, Alameda County Fair Liaison Committee, Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority, Tri-Valley Transportation Council, i-Gate, Innovation Tri-Valley boards and the City Legislative Advocacy Council Subcommittee.
