San Jose Mayor Joins Crowded California Governor Race

Mahan positions himself as a moderate Democrat focused on pragmatic fixes for the state's problems

Jan. 29, 2026 at 8:23pm

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San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a moderate Democrat and former tech entrepreneur, has entered the crowded race for California governor. Mahan is positioning himself as a critic of the state's status quo on issues like homelessness, crime, and cost of living, arguing that Democratic leaders have failed to offer "big solutions." He is expected to face resistance from labor unions but could tap Silicon Valley megadonors for support.

Why it matters

The California governor's race remains unsettled, with no clear frontrunner despite eight major Democrats already in the field. Mahan's late entry shakes up the contest in the Democratic-dominated state, as he presents himself as a pragmatic problem-solver distinct from his more ideological rivals.

The details

Mahan, 43, is positioning himself as a moderate Democrat who largely aligns with the party on key issues like abortion, gun regulation, climate policy, and immigration. However, he has drawn attention for a harder line on public safety and homelessness, backing a policy in San Jose that allows police to arrest homeless people for trespassing if they reject shelter offers. This has alarmed some progressive activists but earned praise from Republicans. Mahan argues that as the only current big-city mayor in the race, he is closer to the issues than his rivals and can deliver results.

  • Mahan announced his candidacy in late January 2026, about four months before the June primary.

The players

Matt Mahan

The moderate Democratic mayor of San Jose who is jumping into the crowded California governor's race, positioning himself as a pragmatic problem-solver focused on issues like homelessness, crime, and cost of living.

Gavin Newsom

The current Democratic governor of California whose record on homelessness and drug addiction Mahan has publicly faulted, provoking irritation from Newsom's allies.

Steve Hilton

A former Fox News commentator who is one of the leading candidates vying to become California's first Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office 15 years ago.

Chad Bianco

The Riverside County Sheriff who is also one of the leading candidates in the race to become California's next Republican governor.

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What they’re saying

“It's a moment for someone who's a fighter for our values and a fixer of our problems.”

— Matt Mahan, San Jose Mayor (Politico)

“We've proven in San Jose that when we focus on the most important things and hold ourselves accountable for delivering results, we can really make progress for our residents. That's the spirit we need in Sacramento.”

— Matt Mahan, San Jose Mayor (San Jose Mercury News)

What’s next

The June primary election will determine the top two vote-getters, who will then compete in the November general election regardless of party affiliation.

The takeaway

Mahan's entry into the California governor's race shakes up the contest, as he presents himself as a pragmatic problem-solver distinct from his more ideological rivals. His moderate positions and focus on issues like homelessness and public safety could appeal to some voters, but he will face resistance from labor unions and the state's progressive activists.