San Jose Mayor Jumps Into California Governor's Race

Matt Mahan, a frequent critic of Newsom, positions himself as a moderate Democrat focused on homelessness and crime

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:07pm

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San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan announced he is joining the crowded race for California governor, casting himself as a moderate Democrat with a track record of tackling issues like homelessness and crime. Mahan has emerged as a frequent critic of current Governor Gavin Newsom and has bucked him on policies like a tough-on-crime ballot measure. Mahan, a 43-year-old Harvard graduate with ties to the tech industry, is the latest to join an unsettled field of contenders hoping to replace the termed-out Newsom.

Why it matters

The California governor's race is shaping up to be a highly competitive and consequential election, with no clear frontrunner on the Democratic side. Mahan's entry as a moderate, tech-friendly candidate could shake up the dynamics of the race and present a contrast to some of the more progressive candidates. His focus on local issues like homelessness and crime could also resonate with voters frustrated with the state's persistent challenges.

The details

Mahan was elected mayor of San Jose in 2022 after serving on the city council. As mayor, he has touted policies that have reduced homelessness and sped up housing construction. He has also pushed for tougher penalties on some crimes like shoplifting, bucking Newsom's more lenient approach. Mahan has deep ties to the tech industry, having co-founded a digital political organizing platform before entering public office. He was classmates with Mark Zuckerberg, who Mahan said persuaded him to go into tech instead of law school.

  • Mahan announced his gubernatorial bid on January 29, 2026.
  • Mahan was first elected to the San Jose City Council in 2020 and then won the mayoral election in 2022.

The players

Matt Mahan

The 43-year-old mayor of San Jose and a Harvard graduate who has emerged as a frequent critic of Governor Gavin Newsom. Mahan has a background in the tech industry and is positioning himself as a moderate Democrat focused on issues like homelessness and crime.

Gavin Newsom

The current Democratic governor of California who is termed out and cannot run for reelection. Newsom has been a target of criticism from Mahan on issues like homelessness and criminal justice.

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What they’re saying

“I'm running to bring focus back to government. To give cities the tools they need to succeed. To show that the best resistance to division is results. And to prove that California can work again — for everyone.”

— Matt Mahan, Mayor of San Jose (wbal.com)

What’s next

Mahan will need to build a coalition of support and distinguish himself in a crowded Democratic field ahead of the June 2026 primary election.

The takeaway

Mahan's entry into the California governor's race as a moderate, tech-savvy Democrat could shake up the dynamics of the contest and present voters with a contrast to some of the more progressive candidates. His focus on local issues like homelessness and crime could resonate with Californians frustrated with the state's persistent challenges.