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Longtime San Ramon swim coach Paschalis Ntatsos is testing the waters of city politics this year, with the political newcomer’s first-ever campaign for public office now underway as a three-way race for mayor ramps up ahead of the November election.
Ntatsos is seeking to leverage his longtime commitment to the city, youth sports, and a fresh perspective as an “outsider with insider knowledge” in his campaign to unseat incumbent Mark Armstrong, who has been in city government for the past six years and is seeking a second term as mayor.
“I am not a career politician,” Ntatsos said on his campaign website. “For over 25 years, my life’s work has been defined by a single mission: coaching and building sports programs that support local families.”
“Since making San Ramon my home in 2009, that commitment has grown even deeper, including eight years of partnering directly with City Hall to manage our community swim lessons,” he continued.
That experience, Ntatsos said, is what has given him insider knowledge into city government and insight into room for improvements and challenges ahead.
“We have important priorities ahead, from managing our city resources effectively to revitalizing our neighborhoods by supporting local shops and creating vibrant, accessible spaces where every generation of San Ramon families can connect,” Ntatsos said.
Ntatsos came to San Ramon after a prolific swimming career and amid a transition to coaching, having competed on the Greek national team and earning 10 gold medals during his tenure. He began his time coaching in San Ramon in 2006 with San Ramon Valley Aquatics, going on to found ElitSwim in 2013 and establish ElitSwim Club in 2023 as part of USA Swimming, the national governing body for competitive swimming.
“My character was shaped by years in sports and business,” Ntatsos told DanvilleSanRamon. “This background gave me a straightforward mindset, a strong work ethic, and taught me how to build healthy, vibrant communities.”
“In sports, success depends on strong relationships, good partnerships, and a shared goal,” he continued. “In business, real service means listening carefully to people’s needs, finding solutions to their problems, and giving them the support they deserve.”
Investing in the city’s youth is among Ntatsos’ campaign priorities, including expanded support and counseling opportunities, community mentorship networks, upgrades to youth community spaces and elevating the city’s Teen Advisory Council to have a formal voice in decision-making.
If elected, Ntatsos promises to “put residents first” by “reining in overdevelopment and infrastructure strain”, expanding access to healthcare and recreation, increasing community input, and expanding cultural initiatives and events.
His campaign promises also include additional support for local businesses and “smarter budgets” that would seek to modernize workflows, audit external contracts, increase transparency, and maximize grant funding.
Ntatsos and fellow political newcomer Emma Chigbu are in a three-way race for mayor this November, with both challenging Armstrong for the seat.
More information is available at paschalisformayor.com.
