Joel Liu, chair of the city's Committee on Energy and the Environment, announced on Sunday that he would be running for the Pleasanton City Council District 3 seat this November.

According to his campaign announcement, first-time candidate Liu hopes to improve Pleasanton's public safety, sustainability and the partnership between the city government and the school district.

"I passionately advocate for these issues because these are what make an ideal community. Therefore, I feel a strong calling to step up and revitalize Pleasanton's charm," Liu said in a news release.

"With two pieces of luggage, very little money and determination, I landed in the United States over 20 years ago to pursue my Ph.D. degree. I had a dream and willingness to work hard, which allowed me to get my doctorate and become the electrical engineer I am today," he added. "I feel honored to call Pleasanton my home and compelled to serve this community even more."

The Nov. 8 election will be Pleasanton's first in a district-based format for City Council seats. District 3, where Liu is running, represents the southwestern part of the city. Incumbent Councilmember Julie Testa is the only other candidate thus far to indicate their intent to compete for District 3.

A first-generation immigrant, Liu started serving on the city's Committee on Energy and the Environment in 2018, which works with city staff to advise the council on topics such as water, energy and the environment.

Most recently, Liu helped in the process of developing and adopting the Pleasanton Climate Action Plan 2.0, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with a goal of 70% reduction below the 1990 levels by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality per capita by 2045.

"After City Council approved the Climate Action Plan 2.0, the hard work of implementing it began," Liu said. "I want to continue my service to the city to expand my responsibility to help Pleasanton become a sustainable city."

Professionally, Liu works as an engineering manager for Eaton Corporation, a multinational power management company, where he is responsible for multimillion-dollar projects in its electrical engineering business.

In his campaign announcement, Liu said that his experience in managing an engineering business will give him the tools needed to manage the city in a fiscally sustainable way.

"Our shared goal should be to build a better Pleasanton together. This involves listening and harmonizing the needs of all community members from all backgrounds, and then working collaboratively and creatively to find the best solution for Pleasanton," he said.

"It is not an easy task," Liu added. "I believe the rigor of my academic pursuit, my corporate leadership experience and my involvement in city government equip me with the right skills and temperament to achieve the best result for Pleasanton."

In the past, Liu served as a parent member of the Harvest Park Middle School Site Council and as a member of the Community Advisory Committee of East Bay Community Energy.

He also volunteered for 17 years at the Chinese Institute of Engineers/USA and in 2018 co-founded the Tri-Valley Asian Association, whose mission of the association is to build a bridge for Asian Americans to connect more with their community.

Liu has a doctorate in electrical engineering from Arizona State University and currently lives in Pleasanton with his wife, two children and their golden retriever. Both of his children attend Pleasanton Unified School District and are competitive Pleasanton Seahawks swimmers.

To learn more about Liu's candidacy, go to his campaign website at votejoelliu.com.