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Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch is poised to serve another two years as the city’s top official, according to the latest election results from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.
Balch leads the mayoral race with 69.3% (11,213) of the vote. His opponent, termed-out District 3 City Councilmember Julie Testa, had 30.7% (4,958) as of about 2 a.m. Wednesday, the last time the county updated its ballot counts.
The next ballot update is expected to drop sometime Friday (Nov. 6).
“While ballots are still being counted, I’m encouraged by the results and deeply grateful for the broad support I’ve received from across our Pleasanton community,” Balch told the Weekly in a statement Wednesday. “I’m humbled by the trust residents have placed in me.”
Testa was elected to an at-large seat on the council 2018 and then re-elected in 2022 to represent District 3 after the city switched to district-based elections. She said serving the city for the past eight years has been “a tremendous honor.”
“I move forward with gratitude and appreciation,” Testa told the Weekly on Thursday. “Not winning is not losing. We created an opportunity for differing perspectives, meaningful discussion and voters to have a choice.”
Balch is a longtime Pleasanton resident who currently serves as the chief financial officer of his family’s real estate business. He is also a licensed certified public accountant and real estate broker, according to his campaign website.
Before he was elected as mayor in 2024, Balch served four years on the City Council. He also previously served on the city’s Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission.
Throughout his campaign, Balch highlighted what he said were significant achievements in his first term, including restoring public trust with the local government, addressing fiscal oversight issues and working with the city on finding new revenue sources.
“It’s been an honor to serve as mayor, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together,” Balch told the Weekly. “My priorities remain consistent with what I’ve communicated to Pleasanton: strong public safety, reliable and affordable water, a vibrant local economy and continued fiscal discipline with their hard-earned taxpayer dollars.”
He added that despite how someone may have voted this year, he is committed to “listen, bring people together and deliver real results that protect and enhance the quality of life we all enjoy.”
“I’m excited about Pleasanton’s future and grateful to everyone who has supported our community and this campaign,” Balch said.
Testa said she was “proud of our resourceful, grassroots campaign and deeply grateful to the volunteers who gave their time, energy and hearts.”
“We stayed true to our values,” she said.
She was, however, critical of Balch’s campaign fundraising. Balch has raised $54,275 this year, according to campaign finance filings. Two self-employed Pleasanton residents and a managing partner at MAAV Investments each donated $1,000 to Balch’s campaign, according to documents filed between Oct. 18 and Oct. 27.
Testa was the only mayoral candidate to sign the city’s candidate intention statement in August, accepting a voluntary expenditure ceiling.
California Fair Political Practices Commission filings show that Testa has raised about $7,370 this year. Her most recent top donation came from a group called Americans4Hindus-California, which donated $999. Previous campaign finance statements mostly show retirees donating to her mayoral bid.
“Mayor Balch’s refusal to sign Pleasanton’s voluntary spending pledge, along with special-interest contributions and independent expenditures, raises concerns about fairness in local elections,” Testa said. “The pledge encourages fair competition, and these financial disparities deserve community discussion.”
Still, Testa said she hoped to “continue to debate Pleasanton’s future with respect and civility.”
“To everyone who supported me, thank you for your trust, encouragement and friendship,” she said. “I wish Pleasanton a successful future. I will continue to serve where I see need and opportunity.”
