San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan joins crowded race for California governor

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is entering the race for California governor, joining an already crowded field less than five months before the primary.

Mahan announced his candidacy on Thursday morning, arguing that his tenure in San Jose shows what he calls a results-driven approach to governing.

"I'm running for governor of California because we can do better. I know we can," Mahan said at a campaign launch event with reporters. "We can't be just against something, but for something - a government that works for working people."

Mahan has positioned himself as a pragmatic problem-solver, criticizing what he says is an overemphasis on national politics and President Donald Trump by Democrats in Sacramento.

"Without change in Sacramento, the same broken cycles will keep repeating," Mahan said. "Just because you make noise doesn't mean you can make a difference. It doesn't mean you can fix homelessness. It doesn't mean you can lower rents."

For weeks, Mahan has hosted other gubernatorial candidates in San Jose for discussions on housing, affordability and top issues facing the state. Last Tuesday, he told ABC7 News those conversations played a role in his decision to enter the race.

"I'm just not hearing the vision, the boldness, the willingness to take on interests that benefit from the status quo, and it's got me rethinking," Mahan said in an interview last week.

Mahan, a frequent critic of Gov. Gavin Newsom, said he believes Democrats can both push back against the Trump administration and focus on governing at home.

"I plan to be a governor who fights for our values, who stands up to the Trump administration, while also fixing our problems and delivering results for our residents," Mahan said. "We have to be able to do both."

Asked about Mahan's candidacy during a Thursday event in San Francisco, Newsom declined to engage.

"I don't know enough about him," Newsom said. "I wish him good luck."

Two Bay Area leaders immediately endorsed Mahan after his announcement - including moderate San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey and Congressman Sam Liccardo, Mahan's predecessor.

"Leading one of California's largest cities tests you in ways few jobs do," Liccardo said in a statement. "Sacramento needs a leader who has governed under pressure, balanced a budget, and delivered results. That's San José Mayor Matt Mahan."

Mahan was first elected to the San Jose City Council in 2020 and won the mayor's race in 2022. He has pointed to what he describes as progress on homelessness, public safety and efforts to cut red tape around housing construction during his time as mayor.

With the primary less than five months away, Mahan's late entry underscores how unsettled the race remains. A Tuesday survey from California Environmental Voters found the two top Republicans - Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton - leading the pack, but still under 20%.

Mahan now faces a tight timeline to raise money and build statewide name recognition. While many of his competitors have held state or federal office, Mahan is expected to lean on his Silicon Valley ties as he ramps up fundraising.

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