California Gubernatorial Candidate Calls for Suspending State Gas Tax

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan says working families need relief from soaring fuel prices.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 3:20am

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San Jose Mayor and California gubernatorial candidate Matt Mahan is urging the state to temporarily suspend its gas tax in order to provide relief to motorists facing skyrocketing fuel prices. Mahan says "working families are being forced to choose between paying rent, putting food on the table, or gas in the car for their morning commute" and that "California's elected leaders must choose to help."

Why it matters

California drivers currently pay some of the highest gas prices in the nation due to a combination of state excise and sales taxes, as well as fees for climate programs. Mahan argues that with the war in Iran compounding these high prices, the state should step in to provide relief to struggling families, just as it would in a natural disaster.

The details

Mahan, a moderate Democrat who recently entered the crowded California gubernatorial race, has been critical of current Governor Gavin Newsom and says the state needs to do more on issues like affordability, homelessness, and crime. The candidate believes that temporarily suspending the state's gas tax is "the most immediate and effective way we can make California more affordable right now." This comes as the Trump administration has signed an executive order to resume oil drilling off the Southern California coast, citing national energy security concerns.

  • On Saturday, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in California reached nearly $5.50, more than 90 cents above the average a month ago.
  • Mahan entered the California gubernatorial race in late January 2026.

The players

Matt Mahan

The San Jose Mayor and Democratic candidate for California governor who is calling for a temporary suspension of the state's gas tax.

Gavin Newsom

The current Governor of California, who Mahan has been critical of and says the state needs to do better under his leadership.

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What they’re saying

“Working families are being forced to choose between paying rent, putting food on the table, or gas in the car for their morning commute. California's elected leaders must choose to help.”

— Matt Mahan, San Jose Mayor and California Gubernatorial Candidate (nypost.com)

“When a natural disaster hits California, we step up and help. A man-made disaster should be no different. Californians should not be forced to pay for a war in the Middle East they didn't start.”

— Matt Mahan, San Jose Mayor and California Gubernatorial Candidate (nypost.com)

What’s next

Mahan's proposal to suspend the state gas tax will likely face opposition from some lawmakers and environmental groups, setting up a political battle in the coming months as the gubernatorial race heats up.

The takeaway

Mahan's call to suspend the state gas tax highlights the growing affordability crisis facing many Californians, as high fuel prices compound other cost-of-living pressures. The candidate's proposal represents a shift away from the state's climate-focused policies, arguing that providing immediate relief to struggling families should take priority.