By Tim FangSan Jose Mayor Matt Mahan announced Thursday that he is running for governor of California in 2026, joining a crowded field in the race to succeed Gov. Mahan said his experience leading San Jose prepares him for the state’s top job. “We’re doing that in San Jose, and the truth is, we can make a lot more progress if we see the same level of focus and accountability in Sacramento.”San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who launched his campaign for California governor on Jan. 29, 2026. A native of Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, the 43-year-old was previously a public-school teacher in East San Jose and a founder of two tech startups before entering politics. Mahan was first elected to the San Jose City Council in 2020 and was elected mayor two years later.