Pleasanton’s new mayor and council members reflect on election, goals ahead

Pleasanton has its new mayor and two new City Council members, and the successful candidates took time to reflect on an unusual campaign season and look toward the future with their swearing-in just weeks away.

Two-term Councilwoman Karla Brown is the city’s mayor-elect, earning 47.30% of the vote — 16,492 votes to date — to keep the decisive lead she’s held since last Tuesday over fellow termed-out council member Jerry Pentin, who’s received 12,294 votes (35.26%) in the five-candidate field, according to the latest results from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters’ Office.

The election tallies are considered unofficial results until certified and there are more ballots left to process, but the totals reported by county officials thus far represent the bulk of ballots cast and the margins appear too significant for any trailing candidates to overcome.

Among her goals as the new mayor of Pleasanton, Brown told the Weekly an immediate priority “is to unify our five-member council and mayor.”

“Sometimes elections can cause a splintering of individuals and I really want us to work together,” Brown said, adding she also plans “making sure our goals for Pleasanton match the residents’ goals, and keep everybody safe, and support our police and fire personnel.”

Brown hopes to be officially sworn in at the first council meeting of December, but she said, “We’re hearing from the registrar of voters, it may not have a certified election until Dec. 3, which would be after that date.”

Should that be the case, Brown would be sworn in about two weeks after to succeed termed-out Jerry Thorne as mayor.

Pentin, who terms out from his council position next month after serving two four-year terms, said he is “disappointed” by the outcome of the mayoral election but “confident that Mayor-elect Brown cares about this city as deeply as I do and understands the complexity of her new role.”

“I fully support Mayor-elect Brown and the new councilmembers and wish them all great success,” Pentin said.

First-time candidate and Amador Valley High alumni Monith Ilavarasan has 9.92% of the vote (3,329 ballots) in third place. Druthi Ghanta, who bowed out of the campaign but remained on the ballot, is in fourth with 4.83%, and fellow newcomer Tom Turpel is fifth with 2.46%.

Succeeding Brown and Pentin in four-year regular council seats will be Valerie Arkin and Jack Balch, advancing out of the seven-candidate election for Pleasanton City Council.

Arkin, who soon leaves her current position as Pleasanton school board trustee for her new spot on the City Council after winning 23.85% of the vote (14,125 votes), was “pleased with the results,” she said in a statement.

“I look forward to continuing my service representing the community of Pleasanton,” Arkin said, also thanking volunteers on her “honest, grassroots campaign” and “those who voted for me and have placed their confidence in me to be their voice.”

Planning Commissioner Jack Balch edged out fellow Planning Commissioner Nancy Allen by roughly 1,100 votes for the second open council seat, winning 13,195 votes (22.28%) to Allen’s 12,016 (20.29%) as of Monday’s totals.

“I am humbled by the trust that Pleasanton has put in me to be elected to our City Council. I look forward to working with my colleagues as we collectively prioritize the community’s needs and how we can work together to address them,” Balch said, also thanking his family and campaign supporters.

He said he would be urging the council to “focus on how we keep our residents healthy and our economy thriving during COVID,” later adding, “beyond that, I’ll be focusing on how we navigate through our new state-mandated housing numbers, and all the challenges there, as well as maintaining our fiscal health and public safety. I am confident we can accomplish these with civility, an open mind, and a willingness to work together for our community.

Extending congratulations to both winners in a statement, Allen said, “I have worked closely with Valerie and Jack and am confident they will serve Pleasanton residents in a way that is inclusive, collaborative and always puts community interests first. That is what good government is about.”

Confirming she will complete her second term on the Planning Commission, Allen added she is “proud of the positive campaign all council candidates ran and am grateful for the support I received from so many wonderful volunteers.”

The other finishers in the council race are Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Randy Brown (no relation to Karla Brown) in fourth place at 11.29%, Housing Commissioner Zarina Kiziloglu at 8.58%, former Economic Vitality Committee member Chiman Lee at 7.45% and attorney Jarod Buna at 6.13%.

Editor Jeremy Walsh contributed to this story.