Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
5.1%
19.3%
14.5%
13.3%
13.2%
10.7%
9.5%
California Governor primary: 1st place
$5.7M
JUN 2, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleMayor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age43 years old (Nov 18, 1982)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundPolitician
EducationHarvard University (B.A.)
Notable personal detailsMatthew William Mahan is an American politician and tech entrepreneur who has served as mayor of San José, California since January 2023. He previously represented San José City Council District 10 after winning election in 2020. Before holding office, he worked in education and the technology sector, including leading/co-founding civic-tech efforts such as Brigade. He is a candidate in the 2026 California gubernatorial race.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgsjmayormatt.commahanforcalifornia.commtc.ca.govindivisibleeldorado.orgkpbs.orgfactually.coapnews.comen.wikipedia-on-ipfs.orgsanjoseca.govbiography.wikioaklandvoices.uscommons.wikimedia.orgcbsnews.comsanjosespotlight.comkcra.commahanforsanjose.comtranscripts.cnn.comsfchronicle.comsanjoseinside.comsjsunews.compolitico.comcalmatters.orgtheguardian.comkioncentralcoast.comfoxnews.comabcnews.go.comvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgncsl.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgballotready.orgkaine.senate.govcongress.govdocuments.ncsl.orggovinfo.govpadilla.senate.govfec.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Opposes a proposed one-time wealth tax on California billionaires and cautions it would risk driving high-net-worth individuals and companies out of the state; favors closing tax loopholes (particularly on unrealized capital gains) and improving government efficiency rather than imposing new broad taxes.
Healthcare
Supports expanding behavioral health and mental health treatment capacity, backing state reforms (including SB 43) and additional residential treatment beds; advocates partnerships to scale inpatient and outpatient services for people with severe mental illness and substance use disorders. Has expressed opposition to a proposed one‑time wealth tax to fund healthcare, citing economic risks to the region.
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Immigration & Border
Supports protecting immigrant communities locally while backing enforcement against people who commit serious or violent crimes; favors secure borders alongside creating legal pathways such as work permits or a pathway to citizenship to regularize undocumented residents.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate states he is pro‑choice and supports a woman’s reproductive freedom. His campaign site says he supports taxpayer‑funded abortion and he has publicly defended his pro‑choice position against critics.
Climate & Energy
Supports investment in clean energy technologies (renewables and storage), protecting open space, expanding water recycling and urban forestry, and attracting climate and green-energy industries to San José while emphasizing reliable energy for economic growth and cautious regulation around data-center energy needs.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate emphasizes strengthening and funding police, rejects defunding police, and prioritizes training, deployment, and accountability for law enforcement. There are no clear policy statements on specific gun measures (for example, assault‑weapons bans, universal background checks, red flag laws, or concealed‑carry rules) in the cited campaign materials and news coverage. Available public statements focus on public‑safety and policing approaches rather than explicit positions on firearm regulation.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has entered the 2026 California governor’s race, pitching a pragmatic approach focused on housing and homelessness and saying he is willing to challenge his own party’s policies. His campaign has quickly attracted major outside support and fundraising, including more than $7 million raised and an independent committee that ran a Super Bowl ad. Recent reports also highlight backing from prominent donors and endorsers, including Sergey Brin and Rick Caruso, alongside criticism that wealthy supporters could shape his agenda.
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Articles
NYNew York Post3 months ago
Google's Sergey Brin backs rival candidates in race to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Positive
TMThe Mercury News4 months ago
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan wants to be the optimistic candidate for California governor
Positive
NYNew York Post4 months ago
Rick Caruso gives full endorsement to Matt Mahan for CA governor
Positive
NYNew York Post4 months ago
Matt Mahan's California governor campaign rakes in millions
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
California Governor primary: 1st place
Endorsers of Matt Mahan for California Governor primary: 1st place
Rep. Liccardo
Elected official
Rep. Liccardo endorsed Matt Mahan after Mahan entered the 2026 California governor's race.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising