Meet Juan González, Your San Leandro Mayoral Candidate

SAN LEANDRO, CA — As the November elections approach, Patch has contacted candidates to ask about their professional experience and why they're the best fit for the role.

San Leandro could see a new mayor take the helm following the elections.

Juan González III is hoping to keep his seat as one of two candidates vying for mayor. Get to know him below:

What is your educational background?

I earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics, with highest honors, from the University of Texas at Austin.

I later earned a Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, specializing in public finance and industrial organization.

Throughout my 30-year professional career, I also completed approximately 40 hours of continuing professional education each year.

What is your professional background?

I spent more than 30 years helping public agencies and private organizations solve complex financial, regulatory and operational problems through data analysis and financial modeling.

I retired as a principal at KPMG, where I led diverse teams and conducted forensic and compliance work. I also taught Government Regulation of Industry at UC Berkeley for six years.

Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?

• Mayor City of San Leandro (2023-2026)
• Commissioner, Alameda County Transportation Commission
  Board Member
• Bay Area Air Quality District Management District
• Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee (since 2026)
  Board Member
• Ava Community Energy, Board Chair Elect (start December 2026)
• Alameda County Mayors Conference Member, President (2026-2027)
• National League of Cities (NLC) Small Cities Council (since 2025)
• Vice Chair, San Leandro Community Advisory Budget Task Force (2020-2021)

What are the top three issues facing Fremont's District 4 right now?

1. Infrastructure: Increased cost effectiveness and on-time and on-budget project delivery.

Focus on seismic work at three firehouses, Neptune Dr levee, MacArthur roundabout, East Bay Greenway, Lewelling safety improvements, and poor/failed neighborhood roads.

2. Structural deficit: Current revenue cannot maintain our infrastructure and the deferred maintenance and pension liabilities pose a material risk to the City.

Address this through economic growth and state/federal grants. Because delays increase the cost of delivery, if revenues remain inadequate, explore options like fee tweaks & specific (not general) taxes.

3. Economic development: Support growth of existing businesses.

Keep promoting how San Leandro’s location & lower cost to offer a competitive alternative to leaving the state.

We also offer proven support for Cal Competes tax benefit applications.

Finally, housing construction is a key component of economic development to be facilitated through recent and new policy changes.

What is one specific action you would prioritize during your first year as a council member?

During the next year, I will continue moving critical infrastructure projects from planning to construction.

I will accelerate street repairs and advance seismic upgrades to our aging fire stations while ensuring projects are delivered transparently, on schedule and within budget.

I will also continue strengthening public safety by supporting effective traffic enforcement, faster emergency response and our innovative behavioral-health response.

These efforts build on work already underway and require experienced, hands-on leadership to maintain momentum and secure outside funding.

Why do you feel you're a better candidate than your opponent?

I bring proven leadership as mayor, deep financial expertise, and a record of delivering results for San Leandro.

I have devoted my full-time attention to this office and have helped build council consensus to reduce crime, improve emergency response, expand behavioral-health services, increase housing, strengthen renter protections, secure significant outside funding and attract new employers.

My Ph.D. in economics and 30 years of experience solving complex financial and operational problems help me protect taxpayer dollars and make evidence-based decisions.

I understand both the opportunities and challenges facing our city and can continue this work without a learning curve. San Leandro needs steady, experienced leadership to build on our progress—not start over.