Matt Mahan

Matt Mahan
Official portrait, 2023
67th Mayor of San Jose
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2023
Preceded bySam Liccardo
Member of the San Jose City Council
from the 10th district
In office
January 5, 2021 – January 1, 2023
Preceded byJohnny Khamis
Succeeded byArjun Batra
Personal details
BornMatthew William Mahan
(1982-11-18) November 18, 1982
San Francisco, California, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
Spouse
Silvia-Wedad Scandar
​
​
(m. 2012)​
Children2
EducationHarvard University (BA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Matthew William Mahan (/ˈmeɪhæn/ MAY-han) (born November 18, 1982)[1] is an American politician and tech entrepreneur who has served as the mayor of San Jose, California since 2023. Mahan previously served as a member of the San Jose City Council from 2021 to 2023. Mahan was the co-founder and CEO of Brigade Media, a tech company focused on civic engagement.[2][3]

Mahan is running in the 2026 California gubernatorial election.[4]

Early life and education

Mahan was raised in Watsonville, California.[5] Raised Catholic, he attended Bellarmine College Preparatory, where his uncle, California real estate developer Ed Thrift, had previously attended,[6] on a low-income scholarship.[5] While in high school, Mahan worked with former state senator Jim Beall and former Santa Clara counsel Ann Ravel.[5]

Mahan graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 2005 with a degree in social studies.[7] He served as president of the Harvard Undergraduate Council.[8] He also received a Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Fellowship to Bolivia, where he spent the year after graduation working on economic development projects.[7]

Private sector career

Mahan spent a year building irrigation systems in Bolivia and then joined Teach for America where he was matched to Alum Rock Middle School[9] in San Jose and taught seventh and eighth grade English and history from 2006 to 2008.[7]

In 2008, Mahan joined a tech startup led by Sean Parker and Joe Green.[7] Together, they formed Causes, a for-profit civic technology Facebook application.[10] Mahan became CEO and president of Causes in 2013.[7]

In 2014, Mahan launched Brigade with investments from Parker, Ron Conway, Marc Benioff, and others.[10] Brigade was created as a social medium for civic engagement.[3][10] In 2019, Brigade was acquired by Pinterest and its technology was purchased by Countable.[10]

Political career

San Jose City Council

In early 2020, Mahan entered the San Jose City Council District 10 race[9] and was endorsed by Santa Clara county assessor Larry Stone, then-mayor Sam Liccardo, then-vice mayor Chappie Jones, and city council members Lan Diep and Pam Foley.[11] The Business San Jose Chamber Political Action Committee also endorsed him, saying they supported Mahan's plan to spend tax dollars appropriately and reduce tax burdens to encourage business growth in the city and wanted a transparent government.[11] He won the seat with 58% of the vote, succeeding term-limited incumbent Johnny Khamis and took office in January 2021.[12][13] He was elected for a four-year term. Arjun Batra was appointed to fill his vacated seat in 2023, after Mahan was elected mayor.[14]

Mayor of San Jose

Campaigns

In September 2021, Mahan became a candidate for mayor of San Jose. He proposed an accountability dashboard which would track progress on issues like crime and homelessness. He pledged to end automatic raises for politicians and city department heads unless progress is shown.[15][16] Mahan received the endorsement of three former mayors of the city, including Liccardo, who stated that he liked Mahan's commonsense and realistic solutions and disliked Cindy Chavez's campaign of fear politics.[17][18]

In November 2022, he was elected mayor of San Jose, defeating Santa Clara County supervisor Cindy Chavez.[19] That same year, San Jose passed Measure B, which would align mayoral elections with presidential elections. As a result, Mahan's term would be two years, rather than the standard four-year term.[20]

He was re-elected in 2024 with marginal opposition, defeating minor candidate Tyrone Wade with 86.6% of the vote.[21] He was elected for a four-year term.[22]

Tenure

Mahan opposed an August 2023 deal with San Jose's municipal unions that raised employee wages and increased paid parental leave, arguing that the increased cost would lead to a budget deficit and force the city to cut services.[23] The deal did not require his approval to go into effect.[24]

2026 California gubernatorial campaign

On January 29, 2026, Mahan announced his candidacy in the 2026 California gubernatorial election to succeed Democratic incumbent Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited.[25] Six days prior to his announcement, the San José Spotlight published an editorial calling for him not to run, criticizing him for never finishing a term in his elected roles and failing to deliver on promises of change during his tenure.[26] Politico noted that Mahan's campaign attracted support amongst Silicon Valley's elite, including an endorsement from U.S. representative and his mayoral predecessor Sam Liccardo and praise from Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan, Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi, and Founders Fund CMO Mike Solana.[27]

Policy positions

Police and public safety

In his first address as mayor,[28] Mahan focused on public safety and outlined efforts to reform San Jose’s booking process in coordination with the county district attorney. He advocated expanding the use of law enforcement technologies, including license plate readers and speed cameras.[29]

In 2023 and 2024, Mahan publicly supported stronger enforcement against drug trafficking while also promoting expanded treatment options.[30] In 2024, he endorsed California Proposition 36, which contrasted from other state Democratic leaders. Mahan has argued that prior reforms had contributed to increases in drug-related deaths, theft, and homelessness.[31]

In October 2024, Mahan and other city council members called for the resignation of councilmember Omar Torres following allegations of child sexual misconduct.[32] After weeks of investigation and pressure from the public, and other members of the local government, Torres stepped down and was subsequently arrested.

Elections and redistricting

In 2025, as California’s Proposition 50 (a measure authorizing temporary legislatively drawn congressional maps) headed to the ballot, Mahan criticized Governor Gavin Newsom’s combative approach to state/national politics and said he would reluctantly support the measure despite concerns about partisan redistricting.[33]

Affordable housing

In 2020, Voters approved Measure E to fund permanent affordable housing through a property transfer tax.[34] In 2022, Mahan decreased the funds made available to affordable housing to prioritize shelter construction, quick-build communities and temporary housing.[35] His administration proposed redirecting portions of Measure E funds toward temporary homeless housing in the 2024–25 budget, prompting debate over the balance between permanent affordable housing and short-term shelter.[36]

Personal life

Mahan married Silvia-Wedad Scandar in 2012.[37] The couple met at Harvard in their freshman year at school.[38] They have two children and live in San Jose's Almaden Valley neighborhood.[39]

References

  1. ^ Severson, Wesley (November 17, 2022). "Meet San Jose's new mayor, Matt Mahan, the city government rookie who edged out a political veteran". hoodline. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  2. ^ Ferenstein, Greg (June 17, 2015). "Brigade: new social network from Facebook co-founder aims to 'repair democracy'". The Guardian. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "A power shift, a pandemic and San Jose's two new councilmembers". The Mercury News. January 2, 2021. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Gambino, Lauren (January 29, 2026). "Matt Mahan, mayor of San Jose, announces run for governor of California". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  5. ^ a b c Wipf, Carly (November 25, 2020). "Matt Mahan prepares to take office as new District 10 councilmember". San Jose Spotlight. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  6. ^ "Name That Grad". Metro Silicon Valley. Metro Publishing Inc. April 22, 1999.
  7. ^ a b c d e Jennings, Duffy (November 2018). "CEO, Brigade, and Co-chair, Joint Venture Board of Directors". Joint Venture Silicon Valley. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  8. ^ Corona, Chris (September 7, 2022). "Matt Mahan's Journey to Mayorship". Metro Silicon Valley. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Hase, Grace (February 27, 2020). "Election 2020: Three Candidates Vie for Open Seat in SJ's D10". San Jose Inside. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d Constine, Josh (May 1, 2019). "Sean Parker's Brigade/Causes acquired by govtech app Countable". Tech Crunch. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  11. ^ a b "SVO Endorses Matt Mahan in San Jose's D10 City Council Race". San Jose Inside. August 23, 2019. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  12. ^ Davis, Rachel (January 4, 2021). "Mayor Liccardo Celebrates Swearing-In of Councilmembers". City of San Jose. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  13. ^ "Matt Mahan Pulls Off Decisive Victory in San Jose's D10". San Jose Inside. March 4, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  14. ^ Holtzclaw, Barry (January 26, 2023). "Arjun Batra Is New District 10 San Jose Council Member". San Jose Inside.
  15. ^ "San Jose Mayoral Candidate Matt Mahan". NBC Bay Area. May 6, 2022. Archived from the original on May 15, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  16. ^ Fehely, Devin (November 16, 2022). "Matt Mahan to be next mayor of San Jose after Cindy Chavez concedes in contentious race - CBS San Francisco". www.cbsnews.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  17. ^ Peters, LaMonica (August 17, 2022). "High-ranking San Jose officials make public endorsements for mayor". KTVU FOX 2. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  18. ^ "San Jose Mayor endorses candidate to replace him". KRON4. August 17, 2022. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  19. ^ Woolfolk, John (November 16, 2022). "Mahan declares victory in San Jose mayor's race after Chavez calls to concede". San Jose Mercury News. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  20. ^ Gabbert, Lorraine (June 7, 2022). "San Jose voters overwhelmingly decide to move mayoral elections". San Jose Spotlight.
  21. ^ "Election Night Reporting | City of San José, Mayor". clarityelections.com. Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters. April 4, 2024. Archived from the original on January 29, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  22. ^ Kadah, Jana (March 24, 2024). "San Jose mayor glides into four more years". San Jose Spotlight.
  23. ^ Munce, Megan (August 15, 2023). "San Jose city workers reach deal to avoid a strike; the mayor says it could harm city budget". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  24. ^ Wolverton, Troy (August 16, 2023). "San Jose has approved new labor deals, despite opposition from Mayor Matt Mahan". Silicon Valley Business Journal. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  25. ^ Rosenhall, Laurel (January 29, 2026). "A Democratic Critic of Newsom Will Run to Succeed Him". The New York Times. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  26. ^ Giwargisand, Ramona; Milo, Moryt (January 23, 2026). "Editorial: San Jose mayor should not run for governor". San José Spotlight. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  27. ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Mui, Christine (January 29, 2026). "Can Silicon Valley make a governor? Matt Mahan is betting yes". Politico. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  28. ^ Irwin, Ben (October 21, 2023). "San Jose mayor tough on crime in first formal address". San José Spotlight. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  29. ^ Irwin, Ben (October 21, 2023). "San Jose mayor tough on crime in first formal address". San José Spotlight. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  30. ^ "Can San Jose's Mayor Rid the City of Open-Air Drug Markets?". Governing. June 29, 2023. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  31. ^ Mahan, Matt (October 23, 2024). "I'm a Democratic mayor. Here's the reason I support California's Prop. 36". SFGATE. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  32. ^ "San Jose mayor, city council call on Omar Torres to resign". KRON4. October 16, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  33. ^ Pho, Brandon (October 8, 2025). "Silicon Valley officials begrudgingly back Prop. 50". San José Spotlight. Archived from the original on October 19, 2025. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  34. ^ "City of San Jose Capital of Silicon Valley".
  35. ^ "San José Mayor Announces Success of Quick-Build Communities as Homelessness Drops". Office of Mayor Matt Mahan. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  36. ^ Chu, Brandon (May 15, 2024). "UPDATE: San Jose residents speak out against diverting affordable housing funds". San José Spotlight. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  37. ^ "Silvia-Wedad Scandar, Matthew Mahan". The New York Times. June 17, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  38. ^ Jennings, Duffy (November 2018). "Meet Matt Mahan". Joint Venture Silicon Valley. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  39. ^ Severson, Wesley (November 17, 2023). "Meet San Jose's new mayor, Matt Mahan, the city government rookie who edged out a political veteran". Hoodline. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
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