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It’s been nearly four years since Kathy Narum was termed out of her seat on the Pleasanton City Council. Now, after a three-year-stint on the Zone 7 Water Agency’s Board of Directors, Narum said she is ready to return to her former post and serve with the city once again.
“I’m running because residents deserve someone who is experienced, accessible, and effective, and I have a proven track record of all of the above,” Narum said in a press release Tuesday. “Our community deserves representatives who understand the neighborhoods and their nuances, and who will ensure residents are heard at City Hall.”
If elected Nov. 3, Narum would have to resign from her seat on the Zone 7 board.
She noted that the Tri-Valley water agency has an appointment process, similar to the one she participated in when she took over the seat following a former director who also resigned to take a different public office position – and that she has already started talking with individuals who might be a good fit if she ends up winning the City Council District 1 race this November.
“I respect and appreciate the support and confidence of the voters and I have been proud to serve on the Zone 7 Board,” Narum told the Pleasanton Weekly.
“Through my service, I’ve learned a lot about the complexities of water on the wholesale side,” she added. “That, combined with my prior service on the City Council, gives me a unique understanding of what it takes to deliver clean, safe water reliably to residents and businesses.”
Narum previously sat on the council from 2013 to 2022, unable to run for another term due to the city law that prevents someone from serving more than two consecutive four-year terms on the City Council.
In 2023, she successfully navigated the appointment process for the Zone 7 board following former director Olivia Sanwong’s departure in order to serve on the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors. Narum then won a full, four-year term with Zone 7 during the 2024 primary election.
She also has more than a decade of experience serving on local and regional task forces and committees that covered a range of issues like transportation, regional development, schools, mosquito abatement and water.
All of these experiences are what Narum said qualifies her for the northwest City Council District 1 seat, which is left wide open after current District 1 Councilmember Jeff Nibert announced he will not run for a second term.
“My years of public service and community leadership have given me a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing not only District 1 but also the entire Pleasanton community,” Narum said in Tuesday’s press release. “Needless to say, all of us have lived through a recent period of fiscal controversy in Pleasanton and the current city leadership requires partners in sustaining the momentum of calm and predictability of late.”
Narum’s 2026 campaign will focus on three main priorities for the city: securing a safe and reliable water supply while keeping rates in check, promoting fiscal responsibility while also supporting the local economy and ensuring Pleasanton’s first-responders have access to resources they need to keep the public safe.
“Pleasanton is a wonderful place to live, work, raise a family, and build a business,” Narum said. “I want to help protect what makes our community special while preparing it for a vibrant and sustainable future.”
She added that her past experience on the City Council combined with her newfound experience on the Zone 7 board give her “valuable insight into municipal finance, infrastructure, land use, water policy, public safety, and regional partnerships”.
She also said that if she is elected, she plans to really listen to her constituents in order to truly understand their needs.
“District 1 needs a councilmember who will be present, responsive, and prepared to turn residents’ concerns into action while simultaneously balancing what is best for Pleasanton as a whole,” Narum said. “I have the experience to bring those perspectives together and help lead our city toward a strong and vibrant future.”
More information on Narum’s platform will be available soon on her campaign website, www.kathynarum.com.
I have been thinking about Kathy returning to the Pleasanton City Council for more than a year now. How powerful my thought is. Nibert did not represent District One. Nibert represented himself.
Kathy did an outstanding job as a City Council member for the city of Pleasanton. This is great news for her district and for Pleasanton.
Kathy has proven herself as an excellent leader who will not only represent District 1 but also the entire city of Pleasanton. This is good news!
This is wonderful news! Kathy is smart, caring, and very experienced. Our district, and our city, needs someone with a proven track record and who truly understands how things work in our local governments and our neighborhoods and throughout our city and region. Thank you Kathy for stepping up to represent District 1!