One tech investor described Mahan as “the only sane” Democrat in the California governor’s race, and others have followed with substantial financial support and advertising, even buying a Super Bowl ad to introduce him to voters, according to the Associated Press.
Mahan, the 43-year-old San Jose mayor and former tech executive, entered the crowded race in January and has presented himself as a pragmatic problem-solver. A moderate Democrat, he has built his statewide profile largely by criticizing Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature’s response to homelessness and crime, while positioning himself as a business-friendly governor who could succeed Newsom, who is term-limited.
The tech backing reflects what some investors and entrepreneurs say they want from state leadership, with support extending beyond donors to public messaging. Garry Tan, who leads a startup accelerator that helped launch companies including Airbnb and DoorDash, said Mahan is “focused on actually solving problems — building more housing, improving public safety and making it possible for people to live and work here again,” through a spokesperson.
In a Tuesday night CNN debate, Mahan also tried to contrast himself with the rest of the field by pitching his approach as neither aligned with Trump-era Republican politics nor trapped in the same governance style. He said, “We don’t need MAGA values, but we also don’t need more of the same,” referring to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement supported by Republican rivals Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, whom Trump has endorsed.
Even with early fundraising momentum, Mahan’s campaign faces questions from within the Democratic coalition about how closely he will tie himself to Silicon Valley interests. Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, president of the California Labor Federation and an endorser of rival candidates including Tom Steyer, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, said: “People do not want somebody who is a puppet of these big tech billionaires, of these AI billionaires — and that’s who he has always been,” according to the AP.
Mahan has sought to counter those concerns by emphasizing his experience dealing with the “behemoth” tech industry and pointing to a coalition he created in San Jose that involves more than 900 public agencies working to explore responsible ways to implement artificial intelligence in government. In the debate, he also said he supports taxing AI companies to fund workforce development. Mahan told the Associated Press: “Voters can see past the kind of, you know, shallow connection that because I’m the mayor of the largest city in Silicon Valley, that might mean that I’m not willing to regulate tech,” adding, “It’s actually been quite the opposite.”
The AP reporting also describes how tech’s political influence is expanding beyond a single candidate, with independent groups backed by tech companies and billionaires having committed at least $40 million to influence California legislative races. Political committees backing Mahan have raised more than $25 million, including donations from Google co-founder Sergey Brin, venture capitalist Michael Moritz and Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, the AP said, while noting that some donors are also backing other campaigns.
Some of the debate around Mahan’s support reflects a broader question about who has gained leverage as California tries to lead on both boosting and regulating the state’s technology industry. Public Citizen’s Garry J.B. Branch said of the Silicon Valley leaders supporting Mahan: “If they can ensure that they get a governor in California who’s weak on tech accountability, then that can save them a lot of money across the states.”
Mahan’s background and policy approach are also part of his effort to differentiate himself among Democrats. A Harvard graduate and former Facebook app and nonpartisan voter-network builder, Mahan has said the campaign turns less on his Ivy League ties and more on his upbringing, including being the son of a postal worker and a schoolteacher. In addition, he has argued against raising taxes to address budget gaps and supported a policy stance including wanting to suspend the state’s gas tax.
Despite the early spending and fundraising, Mahan is racing against the June 2 primary, and the AP said he has not yet gained enough momentum or name recognition to clearly beat his rivals. The story also reports that observers see his tech connections as a persistent vulnerability, with the campaign’s message facing pressure from labor and from Democratic voters who question whether he will stand up to the industry.