San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has officially announced his candidacy for the 2026 California gubernatorial election, confirming speculation about his political ambitions. The announcement, made on January 29, 2026, positions Mahan to succeed term-limited Democratic incumbent Gavin Newsom. A recent tweet from tech executive Ruchi Sanghvi highlighted this development, stating, "@MattMahanSJ is running for Governor of California."
"@MattMahanSJ is running for Governor of California. He's built civic tech companies, taught middle school, and is now the Mayor of San Jose. We’re sitting down to talk about going from building companies to leading a city, and what's next," Sanghvi posted, referencing an interview discussing Mahan's career trajectory.
Mahan's background includes a diverse professional path before entering municipal politics. He co-founded and led civic technology companies like Brigade Media, focusing on digital tools for civic engagement. He also served as a middle school teacher, demonstrating a commitment to public service and community development, as noted in Sanghvi's tweet.
As the 59th Mayor of San Jose, a position he assumed in January 2023, Mahan has focused on issues such as public safety, addressing homelessness, and economic development. His tenure has seen him advocate for stronger enforcement against drug trafficking and support Proposition 36, a stance that has differentiated him from some state Democratic leaders. He was re-elected for a four-year term in 2024 with marginal opposition.
His gubernatorial campaign has quickly garnered significant financial backing from Silicon Valley figures, including Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale. Notable endorsements include U.S. Representative and former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, with praise also coming from Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan and Founders Fund CMO Mike Solana. Mahan's entry into the race sets the stage for a competitive election cycle in California.
