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District 1 Councilmember Jeff Nibert plans to step aside at the end of his current term, meaning both four-year seats up for grabs on the Pleasanton City Council in the November election will be wide open without an incumbent.
Confirming to the Pleasanton Weekly that he won’t seek reelection this fall, Nibert acknowledged it “was not an easy decision” but ultimately the right one at this stage of his life – particularly with he and his wife wanting flexibility to spend more time with their son’s family in Australia and their daughter in Hawaii.
“This is a personal decision as I look ahead to the next chapter of my life,” Nibert said. “There are also many personal interests that I have set aside while serving on the Council. I look forward to spending more time traveling and pursuing hobbies that have taken a back seat to public service, and to enjoying the freedom to explore new opportunities.”
“Serving the people of Pleasanton has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I am deeply grateful for the confidence our residents placed in me,” he added. “Of course, I will remain fully engaged through the remainder of my term. My commitment to Pleasanton is not ending. I intend to work just as hard on my last day as I did on my first.”
Nibert was a sitting planning commissioner after a career in engineering and project management when he won the election to represent the city’s northwest District 1 in 2022.
“I entered public service with the goal of applying my professional experience to the complex challenges facing the city,” he reflected. “Throughout my service, I have emphasized fiscal responsibility, careful planning, infrastructure investment, safe and reliable water, and preserving Pleasanton’s character and quality of life.”
Nibert pointed to other priorities during his tenure on the council: “strengthening the city’s long-term financial outlook, encouraging responsible infrastructure investment, addressing the challenges created by state housing mandates, and promoting thoughtful planning for Pleasanton’s future.”
“I never viewed this position as a political office. I view it as an opportunity to serve. My goal has always been to study the facts, ask good questions, listen to the community, and make decisions based on what I believe is in Pleasanton’s long-term best interest,” he said. “I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve this community, and I believe this is the right time for someone else to bring their ideas and energy to the Council.”
With Nibert’s decision to bow out, the council is guaranteed to have at least two new voices after the Nov. 3 general election.
Eighth-year Councilmember Julie Testa, often an ally of Nibert’s on the dais when votes get contentious, is terming out this year in District 3 on the city’s southwest side. Mayor Jack Balch is bidding for a second two-year term in office.
The candidacy nomination period opened last week and runs until 5 p.m. Aug. 7 for all local elections, except those where an eligible incumbent does not seek reelection in which case the filing window is extended by five calendar days – meaning District 3 and mayor would close on initial deadline day while prospective District 1 candidates would have until Aug. 12 to file.
