San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s bid for California governor is drawing applause from business heavyweights like billionaire Rick Caruso — who himself flirted with a campaign before opting not to run for family reasons.
“I am very excited by my good friend @MattMahanSJ’s decision to run for Governor,” Caruso wrote on X. “Matt is a practically minded moderate and a thoughtful leader brimming with innovative new ideas.”
Billionaire Rick Caruso is supportive of Matt Mahan’s bid for governor bid. FilmMagic
Mahan, whose city lies at the heart of Silicon Valley, has other fans with big platforms — and checkbooks. Getty Images for California Conference for Women“I have encouraged him to run and I’m delighted he’s entering the race,” he continued.
Pitching himself as a moderate willing to challenge the Democratic status quo, Mahan has criticized current Governor Gavin Newsom over crime and homelessness, as well as the governor’s combative social-media posture toward Donald Trump, which Mahan called a “blind leap into meme land.”
Mahan, whose city lies at the heart of Silicon Valley, has other fans with big platforms — and checkbooks.
A former tech entrepreneur, Mahan co-founded Brigade, a digital political organizing platform, after encouragement from Mark Zuckerberg while the two were classmates at Harvard. His Silicon Valley connections could help him raise significant campaign funds, and housing developers are seen as a potential support base due to his strong pro-building stance.
Mahan said he decided to run for governor after his wife, Silvia, encouraged him, telling him, “I think our state needs you.”
Mahan said his wife encouraged him to enter the race. Office of Mayor Matt MahanThe mayor said he wants to give cities the tools they need to succeed, adding the best results to division in politics is getting results.
“That’s why I’m running,” he said. “And that’s the future Silvia and I are fighting for.”
Garry Tan, CEO of San Francisco-based Y Combinator, wrote on X, “California desperately needs this.”
Garry Tan, CEO of San Francisco-based Y Combinator, wrote on “California desperately needs this.” and criticized Gavin Newsom’s habit of blasting the Trump administration. AP“Not more vibes. Not more trolling. RESULTS,” he wrote, in a seeming reference to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s habit of needling the Trump administration on social media.
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Mahan became mayor of California’s third-largest city in 2021 and has positioned himself as a pragmatic, “Back to Basics” leader focused on public safety, homelessness, housing affordability and government accountability.
He has taken a tougher stance on crime than many Democrats, supporting harsher penalties for certain theft and drug offenses and proposing that the city arrest homeless individuals who repeatedly refuse shelter offers — positions that have sometimes put him at odds with his party.
Billionaire venture capitalist Steve Jurveston chimed in, “Thank you! And what a start on Polymarket!”
On the betting site, Mahan immediately shot up to #2 behind Rep. Eric Swalwell.
The San Jose mayor enters a crowded field that includes Democrats Antonio Villaraigosa, Xavier Becerra, Tony Thurmond, Betty Yee, Eric Swalwell and Tom Steyer, alongside Republican candidates Chad Bianco, Steve Hilton, and Jon Slavet. His mayoral term runs through 2028, allowing him to campaign without giving up his seat, but he must finish in the top two in the June primary to advance to the general election.
