CA-GOV: Tech's pick for governor, Matt Mahan (D), makes his case for running California

He’s from the largest city in Northern California. You know, the one down south from us? Starts with “S.”

Be careful poking fun at San Jose when you’re speaking with Mayor Matt Mahan. The gubernatorial candidate is a fierce defender of his city, one he says has made progress on housing and homelessness, reasons he thinks he should become governor. A pro-business moderate, Mahan has attracted big donations from deep-pocketed techies, with his latest campaign total coming in at $8.5 million, according to a source familiar with the matter. An independent committee has raised millions more and spent $1.4 million for an ad (opens in new tab) during the Super Bowl

“My values are very progressive,” Mahan said during an interview this week on our podcast “Pacific Standard Time.” “My means are very pragmatic.” Here are four takeaways from our conversation with the gubernatorial hopeful.

While San Francisco is known as a pricey city, San Jose is the most expensive urban area in California, a recent report shows.



https://sfstandard.com/2026/02/11/matt-mahan-pst-interview-takeaways/