An independent expenditure committee supporting San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s campaign for California governor is launching a $4.8 million television ad buy, beginning Thursday, as the Democrat seeks to gain traction in a crowded field vying to replace Gavin Newsom.
The two 30-second advertisements, which will air statewide on broadcast and cable television, focus on Mahan’s personal history and his record as mayor of California’s third-largest city. One ad highlights his upbringing in a working-class family, mentioning his work on a grounds crew and as a middle school teacher. A narrator states that Mahan’s parents “taught him the difference between nice to have and need to have,” and that he has focused on “the basics” while leading San Jose.
The ads tout Mahan’s accomplishments in San Jose, claiming the city is “the safest huge city in America,” has seen “a sharp drop in street homelessness,” and has overseen the construction of “thousands of homes.” The advertisements assert that as governor, Mahan will prioritize “affordable homes, safe neighborhoods and great schools.”
The campaign effort is being funded by California Back to Basics Supporting Matt Mahan for Governor 2026, an independent expenditure committee. While the group has yet to file official fundraising reports with the California Secretary of State, disclosures indicate initial major donors include billionaire venture capitalist Michael Moritz, Ashley Merrill, founder of luxury sleepwear company Lunya, and Michael Seibel, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur.
Rick Caruso, a Los Angeles businessman who previously considered running for governor and mayor of Los Angeles, is also involved with the committee, according to a strategist familiar with the effort who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Federal law prohibits independent expenditure committees from coordinating directly with a candidate’s campaign. Mahan launched his gubernatorial bid approximately four weeks ago, entering a race that already includes several prominent Democrats. Since announcing his candidacy, Mahan has raised nearly $9.2 million in large donations, a significant portion of which has approach from figures within the technology industry, according to reports.
Mahan, 43, previously served on the San Jose City Council from 2021 to 2023, before becoming mayor. He is the co-founder and former CEO of Brigade Media, a tech company focused on civic engagement. He announced his candidacy for governor in January, positioning himself as a pragmatic leader focused on core issues, according to a report from the New York Post. He has taken a firmer stance on crime than some other Democrats, supporting increased penalties for certain offenses and advocating for the arrest of homeless individuals who decline shelter.
According to a report from ABC7 News, Mahan’s campaign has received contributions from Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, and YCombinator CEO Garry Tan, each of whom contributed the maximum legally allowed amount. David Baszucki, CEO of Roblox, and his wife Jan also contributed a combined $156,800 to Mahan’s campaign.
