Julie Testa
Candidate for Mayor, Pleasanton · Councilmember, City of Pleasanton
Julie Testa's civic experience in Pleasanton spans nearly four decades. She has served two terms on the Pleasanton City Council representing District 3, previously spent 11 years on the city's Human Services Commission, and has served as a board director for Tri-Valley REACH and with the National Alliance on Mental Illness Tri-Valley. She currently serves on multiple regional bodies including the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority board, where she was vice chair in fiscal year 2025.
Positions in brief
Centers her campaign on the city's budget crisis, maintaining independent representation on the council, and closer scrutiny of large housing developments.
According to news coverage, Testa's central concern is Pleasanton's finances: she opposed the 2024 defeat of Measure PP, which she says led to $6 million in service cuts including reduced library hours and less city landscaping. She has said, 'I feel like I have balanced our current city council, and without my voice, I think that a lot of representation will be lost,' and maintains a policy of not accepting donations from special interests. She voted against the Arroyo Lago housing project agreement, arguing it contributed insufficient funds toward required infrastructure improvements.
On the issues
- Taxes & Cost of Living
Supports bringing back a local sales tax measure, saying the city has felt real effects from losing that revenue.
“There've been dramatic impacts to our community because of the loss of that tax measure.”
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Opposes using city pension and retirement funds to balance the budget.
Source → - Public Safety & Policing
Championed Pleasanton's Alternate Response Unit as an added tool for police responding to people in crisis.
“The ARU provides our excellent police force with yet another tool to support vulnerable persons in crisis.”
Source → - Housing & Homelessness
Voted against the Arroyo Lago housing project agreement, arguing the developer's proposed $3 million contribution toward El Charro Road improvements was too low compared with the $8 million city staff recommended.
Source → - Government, Elections & Democracy
Pledges not to accept donations or endorsements from special interests.
“I do not accept endorsements or donations from any special interest that may want something in return.”
Source →
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