Pleasanton politics is in for a shakeup. Vice Mayor Jeff Nibert says he will step down from the City Council at the end of his term and will not seek re-election in November 2026, leaving his District 1 seat wide open. With longtime Councilmember Julie Testa also leaving the council this year, voters are guaranteed at least two new voices on the November ballot.
Nibert Cites Family, Flexibility And Travel
Nibert said his decision is rooted in family and a desire for more freedom to travel. He told reporters he wants to spend more time with his adult children and grandchildren and have the flexibility to visit relatives overseas, while staying fully engaged in council work through the end of his term, according to The Mercury News. He framed the move as a personal choice rather than a political statement.
City Budget Strains Have Dominated The Agenda
Nibert’s tenure has unfolded under mounting financial pressure at City Hall. City finance documents and council reports show Pleasanton faces a structural General Fund shortfall averaging about $13 million a year starting in fiscal 2025/26, along with an estimated $900 million infrastructure funding gap. Those sobering numbers, and the hunt for new revenue options, have shaped recent debates over service cuts and potential ballot measures, according to the City of Pleasanton.
Regional Roles Stretch Beyond City Hall
Nibert’s influence has extended well beyond the council chambers. He is listed as a member and recent chair of the Livermore-Amador Valley Water Management Agency board, serves on the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District board of trustees, and has taken part in Altamont Landfill advisory committees, according to LAVWMA, the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District and county records. Those regional posts have kept him plugged into water policy, waste management and broader Tri-Valley planning issues.
Open Seats Set Up A High-Stakes November
With Nibert stepping away and Testa terming out, both four-year council seats on the November ballot will be open. That triggers an extended filing period for would-be candidates in District 1, with the nomination deadline pushed to Aug. 12 in races without an incumbent, Pleasanton Weekly reported. The contests are expected to become one of the marquee local storylines of the fall and could reshape how the next council tackles Pleasanton’s long-term fiscal challenges.
Engineer-Turned-Councilmember Nears The Finish Line
Nibert was elected to the City Council in 2022 after serving on the Planning Commission and brings an engineering pedigree to the job: a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s in civil engineering from the University of California, according to the City of Pleasanton. He has said he plans to carry out his duties through the end of the year, then shift his focus to travel and family.
