Matt Mahan, the centrist Democrat serving as mayor of San Jose, has officially declared his intention to run for governor of California. The announcement, made on Thursday, sees Mahan joining a sprawling yet stagnant field of candidates vying to succeed the term-limited incumbent, Gavin Newsom.
A Pragmatic Approach from Silicon Valley
Mahan, aged 43, is a former tech entrepreneur who was first elected mayor of Silicon Valley's largest city in 2022. He has consistently promoted his pragmatic leadership style, claiming it has transformed San Jose into the safest major city in the United States. Furthermore, his administration has overseen a significant reduction in homelessness, a persistent and chronic issue plaguing numerous large urban centres across California.
Controversial Stances and Political Criticism
However, Mahan's approach has not been without its detractors. He was one of the few prominent Democratic figures to endorse Proposition 36, a 2024 ballot initiative known for its tough-on-crime policies. This measure imposed harsher penalties for specific drug and theft offenses, drawing criticism from some within his own party.
Mahan has also been a long-standing critic of Governor Gavin Newsom, particularly regarding the state's strategies for tackling homelessness and reducing crime. He has even taken issue with Newsom's use of social media to taunt political opponents, including the President.
Positioning in a Crowded Democratic Field
In a series of interviews conducted on Thursday, Mahan suggested he perceives a unique opportunity for a candidate focused less on the national political drama dominated by figures like Donald Trump. Instead, he aims to centre his campaign on the pressing domestic issues facing California, such as the homelessness crisis and the soaring cost of living.
"We have a lot of candidates following a tired playbook," Mahan told Politico. "They're either running against Trump or they're running in his image. I'm running for the future of California."
An Unsettled Race for the Governorship
Although Mahan has not previously held statewide or federal office, he has signalled his gubernatorial ambitions for several weeks. His entry into the race, coming months before the June primary election, underscores the unsettled and fluid nature of the contest, which has so far failed to produce a clear front-runner.
The Democratic primary field is notably crowded and includes several high-profile figures:
- Former congresswoman Katie Porter
- Congressman Eric Swalwell
- Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra
- Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
- Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer
In response to Mahan's announcement, Tom Steyer issued a statement welcoming him to the race, but with a pointed remark: "California needs a governor who will stand up to powerful interests, not carry their water."
The stage is now set for a highly competitive and closely watched battle to lead the most populous state in the nation, with Mahan positioning himself as a pragmatic, problem-solving alternative to more ideologically driven candidates.
