Published • loading... • Updated
Tech is betting on a former executive in the race for California governor
Tech donors have spent more than $18 million to lift Matt Mahan’s profile as he runs as a centrist and criticizes California Democrats.
- San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is positioning himself as a pragmatic problem-solver in the California governor race, attracting significant support from tech leaders seeking a business-friendly successor to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
- A Harvard graduate and former tech executive, Mahan co-founded an early Facebook app called Causes and the network Brigade before winning election as mayor of San Jose in 2022.
- Political committees backing Mahan have raised more than $25 million, including donations from Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, while independent groups spent more than $18 million to boost him.
- During a Tuesday debate on CNN, Mahan criticized career politicians, though Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, president of the California Labor Federation, called him a "puppet of these big tech billionaires," questioning his independence.
- With the June 2 primary approaching, Mahan faces pressure to build broader name recognition and avoid a scenario where two Republicans advance, as voters weigh his tech industry ties against Democratic alternatives.
Insights by Ground AI
22 Articles
22 Articles
Associated Press News+20 Reposted by 20 other sources
Tech is betting on a former executive in the race for California governor
Tech leaders are betting on a former executive to take the lead in the California governor's race. The 43-year-old mayor of San Jose, Matt Mahan is a moderate Democrat who has built his profile mainly by criticizing Gov.
·United States
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources22
Leaning Left7Leaning Right2Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution53% Center
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources are Center
53% Center
L 37%
C 53%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
