Gmail Creator Donates $1M to California Governor Candidate

Paul Buchheit, who coined Google's 'Don't be evil' motto, backs upstart mayoral candidate Matt Mahan's gubernatorial bid.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Paul Buchheit, the creator of Gmail and the originator of Google's 'Don't be evil' motto, has donated over $1 million to support Matt Mahan's campaign for California governor. Mahan, the mayor of San Jose, is an upstart candidate in the crowded race to replace Gavin Newsom. Buchheit's donation is one of the largest contributions so far in the wide-open battle for the state's top job.

Why it matters

Buchheit's high-profile donation to Mahan's campaign highlights the growing influence of tech leaders in California politics. As a prominent figure in the tech industry, Buchheit's backing could help boost Mahan's name recognition and fundraising efforts as he seeks to gain traction against more established candidates.

The details

Buchheit, who was an early employee at Google and is credited with creating Gmail and the company's 'Don't be evil' motto, recently gave $1 million to a PAC supporting Mahan's gubernatorial bid. In addition to the large PAC donation, Buchheit also contributed the maximum individual donation amount of $39,200 directly to Mahan's campaign for both the primary and general elections. Mahan, the mayor of San Jose since 2023, is running on a platform of fiscal responsibility and opposing a proposed billionaire wealth tax that has drawn the ire of Silicon Valley leaders.

  • Buchheit donated over $1 million to a PAC supporting Mahan's campaign in March 2026.
  • Mahan has been San Jose's mayor since 2023.
  • The California governor's race open primary is scheduled for June 2026.

The players

Paul Buchheit

The creator of Gmail and the originator of Google's 'Don't be evil' motto, Buchheit is a prominent figure in the tech industry who has now donated over $1 million to support Matt Mahan's campaign for California governor.

Matt Mahan

The mayor of San Jose since 2023, Mahan is an upstart candidate in the crowded race to replace Gavin Newsom as California's governor. Mahan is running on a platform of fiscal responsibility and opposing a proposed billionaire wealth tax.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The California governor's race open primary is scheduled for June 2026, where the top two vote-getters regardless of party will advance to the general election.

The takeaway

Buchheit's high-profile donation to Mahan's campaign underscores the growing influence of tech leaders in California politics, as they seek to back candidates who align with their policy priorities and oppose measures like the proposed billionaire wealth tax.