Silicon Valley Execs Spend $4.8M on Ads for San Jose Mayor's Gubernatorial Bid

The independent expenditure committee's ads will begin airing on Thursday.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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An independent expenditure committee backed by Silicon Valley executives has spent $4.8 million on television ads supporting San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan's gubernatorial campaign. The ads are set to begin airing on Thursday.

Why it matters

This significant ad buy from an outside group highlights the growing influence of Silicon Valley in California politics, as well as the high stakes and competitiveness of the upcoming gubernatorial race.

The details

The independent expenditure committee, which is not directly affiliated with Mahan's campaign, has purchased television airtime to run ads supporting the San Jose mayor's bid for governor. The $4.8 million ad buy is a substantial investment that could help raise Mahan's profile and sway voters.

  • The ads are scheduled to begin airing on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Matt Mahan

The current mayor of San Jose who is running for governor of California.

Silicon Valley Executives

A group of business leaders from the tech hub of Silicon Valley who have backed the independent expenditure committee supporting Mahan's gubernatorial campaign.

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What’s next

The ads are expected to play a significant role in shaping the early stages of the gubernatorial race, as Mahan seeks to gain name recognition and support beyond his local base in San Jose.

The takeaway

This ad buy demonstrates the growing political influence of Silicon Valley and its willingness to invest heavily in candidates it believes can further its interests, underscoring the increasingly high-stakes nature of California's gubernatorial election.