San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has a lot in common with his Democratic opponents in the race for California governor. Like them, he is making affordability and cutting red tape centerpieces of his campaign. But he has been more outspoken in his criticism of Governor Gavin Newsom, and he’s often described as the moderate Democrat in the race. 

Still, Mahan has pushed back on the moderate label. “I think we should want great things for everyone, but I worry that our state often embraces policies that are idealistic, that sound good, are performative and aren’t working in practice,” Mahan told the Orange County Register in February. “And that’s why I consider myself a pragmatist more than anything.”

To address the homelessness crisis, Mahan would expand the use of tiny homes, among other initiatives. He also supports “requiring treatment for the drug, alcohol and mental health conditions that lead to repeated arrests and trap people on the streets.” 

A former tech entrepreneur, Mahan grew up in Watsonville and was elected to the San José City Council in 2020. He narrowly won the race for mayor two years later, and was reelected in a landslide in 2024.  

Mahan joins Commonwealth Club World Affairs as part of our “Race for Governor 2026” series of candidate forums. Come meet the candidate, hear his vision for California, and ask your questions before you cast your vote for California’s next governor.