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
$10.8M
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. in Social Studies (2005), magna cum laude
Notable personal detailsMatthew William Mahan is an American politician and tech entrepreneur who has served as the 66th Mayor of San José, California since January 2023. He previously represented San José City Council District 10 after winning election in 2020. He is a Harvard University graduate and has worked in the tech and civic-engagement space, and he has also taught middle school in San José through Teach For America. In 2026 he ran in California’s gubernatorial primary.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgsjmayormatt.comelections.cdn.sos.ca.govkeyt.comlinktr.eecommons.wikimedia.orgmahanforsanjose.comciviccause.comedition.pagesuite.comsanjoseca.govmahanforcalifornia.comwikidata.orgmilpitas.govkpbs.orgsjsu.edusvlg.orgsacbee.comit.wikipedia.orgreddit.comcbsnews.comsanjosespotlight.comkcra.comtranscripts.cnn.comsfchronicle.comsanjoseinside.comsjsunews.compolitico.comcalmatters.orgapnews.comtheguardian.comkioncentralcoast.comcayimby.orgfacebook.comcnn.comnbcbayarea.comsfstandard.comforbes.compro.stateaffairs.commissionlocal.orgwashingtonexaminer.comnytimes.comslowboring.comlaist.comstreamlinefeed.co.kemsn.comnbclosangeles.comballotpedia.orgballotready.orgpanetta.house.govpadilla.senate.govdocs.house.govgovinfo.govkhanna.house.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.org
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 updatedJul 15, 2026
Matt Mahan is in the news because he is running in California’s crowded 2026 governor’s race, with voting closing and the top-two primary deciding who advances. Recent reports say his campaign has lost momentum, with some Silicon Valley support weakening, an outside support committee shutting down, and a $1 million donation being refunded. He has also been attacking rival Xavier Becerra on the trail while emphasizing accountability, homelessness, and housing reform.
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Articles
TBThe Boston Globe2 months ago
California holds crowded primary in race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom
Neutral
WWTOP2 months ago
Candidates for California governor scramble to deliver final pitch to voters with days to go
Neutral
SDSan Diego Union-Tribune2 months ago
Housing reforms pushed by gubernatorial candidates are encouraging, but stalling at the local level
Neutral
NYNew York Post2 months ago
How Silicon Valley's California governor candidate backfired
Negative
Polls
California Governor primary: 1st place
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
California Governor primary: 1st place
Endorsers of Matt Mahan for California Governor primary: 1st place
California YIMBY
Elected official
California YIMBY backed Matt Mahan in California's governor race.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising