Pleasanton Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Jack Balch
Candidate for Mayor (incumbent)
Jack Balch, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Pleasanton in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Julie Testa.
Vote-by-mail ballots start going out · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayMayor of Pleasanton since 2024 after four years on the City Council; earlier served on the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission. A CPA and chief financial officer of his family's real estate business.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Mayor / CPA
- Endorsed by
- Lists endorsements from Vice Mayor Matt Gaidos, Councilmember Craig Eicher, State Sen. Jerry McNerney, the Pleasanton Police Officers' Association and the Bay East Association of Realtors, among others. Jack Balch campaign site
- Campaign website
- www.jackforpleasanton.com
Kathy Narum and Jamie Yee are both listed among the endorsers on Mayor Jack Balch's campaign site. Jack Balch campaign site
Where Jack Balch stands: positions on the record
Sales tax1 sourced position
Voted no on placing Measure PP, a half-cent sales tax increase, on the November 2024 ballot (passed 4-1, July 2024).
Council voteCity Council minutes, July 16, 2024 · Jul 16, 2024
Hotel tax2 sourced positions
Proposed the amendment to phase the hotel tax increase in at 10% in 2027 and 12% in 2028, and voted yes on it (passed 4-1, June 2026).
Council voteCity Council minutes, June 2, 2026 · Jun 2, 2026
Said asking voters to raise the hotel tax, unchanged since 1983, is appropriate now, while the city's finances still require discipline.
“While our fiscal challenges will require fiscal discipline, I do believe asking the voters for the Pleasanton transient tax to increase, which hasn’t changed since 1983, is appropriate and reasonable at this time”
Own statementPleasanton Weekly · Jul 12, 2026
Pensions1 sourced position
Voted yes to adopt the pension funding policy as recommended, including its section on pension obligation bonds (passed 3-2, March 2026).
Council voteCity Council minutes, March 17, 2026 · Mar 17, 2026
Development1 sourced position
Voted yes on the Arroyo Lago development agreement with the existing $3 million El Charro Road contribution, and no on raising it to $8 million (passed 3-2, July 2026).
Council voteCity Council minutes, July 27, 2026 · Jul 27, 2026
Budget1 sourced position
Voted yes to adopt the two-year operating and capital budget for fiscal years 2025/26 and 2026/27 (passed 5-0, June 2025).
Council voteCity Council minutes, June 17, 2025 · Jun 17, 2025
Priorities1 sourced position
Candidate statement in the city's official candidate statements
Lists his priorities as a vibrant downtown, economic vitality, public safety, reliable and affordable water, school collaboration, and clean parks and open space.
“My priorities remain clear: a vibrant downtown, economic vitality that supports the services and amenities we value, robust public safety, reliable and affordable water”
Own statementCity of Pleasanton candidate statements, Nov 3, 2026 · Aug 12, 2026
Housing1 sourced position
Says he supports housing that accommodates state mandates without sacrificing community integrity.
“Jack supports housing solutions that ensure responsible development and accommodate state mandates without sacrificing community integrity”
Own statementJack Balch campaign site
Also running for Mayor
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