Longtime Pleasanton Resident Ilavarasan Launches Mayoral Bid

PLEASANTON, CA — Tech professional and longtime Pleasanton resident Monith Ilavarasan is running to serve as mayor of Pleasanton.

Ilavarasan, an Amador Valley High School graduate, said on his campaign website that he is running a progressive campaign that seeks to: tackle housing accessibility issues; ensure kids can safely re-enter schools amid the pandemic; support small businesses,; push for the hiring of mental health professionals — not police — to respond to incidents involving mental health episodes; and provide low-cost immigration services to residents working through the Board of Immigration Appeals process.

Ilavarasan, whose parents are immigrants, said he has worked in San Francisco in tech and startups, and volunteered in Bay Area groups. He hopes to see Pleasanton become more socially and economically inclusive, a leader in social, racial and economic justice, he said.

Though Ilavarasan said he has long been interested in politics, this is is first time getting involved in local elections. He feels he will "bring a fresh set of democratic and progressive ideals to local politics."

"We believe we can preserve what makes our town strong while aiming towards the future," Ilavarasan said. "We believe in a Pleasanton for all."

Learn more about his campaign here.