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2d ago

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan Enters California Governor’s Race as Moderate Democrat

The San Jose mayor enters a crowded primary, pitching results on homelessness and crime over party orthodoxy.

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California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter has better name recognition than San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, right, who got into the race on Thursday. 

Overview

  • Mahan, 43, formally launched his bid on Jan. 29 under a “Back to Basics” message, citing San Jose reductions in unsheltered homelessness, faster housing approvals and improved homicide clearance as his blueprint.
  • He has publicly broken with Gov. Gavin Newsom on criminal justice and homelessness, supported 2024’s Proposition 36, and criticized what he calls the governor’s focus on national politics and weak implementation of the measure.
  • Early backing includes tech and business figures Rick Caruso, Garry Tan and Matt Brezina, alongside an endorsement from former San Jose mayor and U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo.
  • The wide-open top-two primary field features Democrats Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter, Xavier Becerra, Antonio Villaraigosa, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond and Betty Yee, plus Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton.
  • Recent polling reported in the coverage shows Mahan in the low single digits with limited statewide name recognition, underscoring a short runway to break through before June.