Matt Mahan Bio
Matthew William Mahan (born November 18, 1982) is an American politician and technology entrepreneur who has served as the mayor of San Jose, California since 2023. A Democrat, he previously represented San Jose’s 10th district on the city council from 2021 to 2023. Before entering public office, Mahan co-founded Brigade, a civic engagement technology company, and worked in several leadership roles within the technology and nonprofit sectors. In January 2026, he announced his candidacy in the 2026 California gubernatorial election to succeed term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom.
Throughout his career, Mahan has combined a background in civic technology with hands-on public service, working to address housing, homelessness, and public safety in California’s largest city. He is known for promoting data-driven approaches to local government and for championing accountability measures, including a public dashboard tracking progress on key city issues.
Early Life and Background
Matthew William Mahan was born in San Francisco, California, on November 18, 1982, and was raised in Watsonville, California. Raised Catholic, he attended Bellarmine College Preparatory, where his uncle, California real estate developer Ed Thrift, had also studied. Mahan attended the school on a low-income scholarship, an experience that shaped his interest in equity and public service.
While still in high school, Mahan gained early exposure to local politics by working with former California state senator Jim Beall and former Santa Clara County counsel Ann Ravel. These formative experiences helped guide his decision to pursue a career in public policy and community engagement.
After high school, Mahan attended Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in social studies. He served as president of the Harvard Undergraduate Council and received a Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Fellowship, which he used to spend a year in Bolivia building irrigation systems and working on economic development projects.
Path to US Politics
Following his time in Bolivia, Mahan joined Teach for America and was matched to Alum Rock Middle School in San Jose, where he taught seventh and eighth grade English and history from 2006 to 2008. The experience teaching in one of San Jose’s underserved neighborhoods deepened his commitment to addressing local community needs.
In 2008, Mahan entered the technology sector, joining a startup led by Sean Parker and Joe Green. Together, they created Causes, a for-profit civic technology application built on Facebook that encouraged users to support charitable and political campaigns. Mahan eventually became CEO and president of Causes in 2013.
Seeking to expand his work in civic engagement, Mahan launched Brigade in 2014 with backing from investors including Sean Parker, Ron Conway, and Marc Benioff. The platform was designed to make political participation easier for everyday users. In 2019, Brigade was acquired by Pinterest, with its core technology later purchased by Countable.
Matt Mahan Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Mahan entered elected office in early 2020, when he announced his campaign for the San Jose City Council District 10 seat. He was endorsed by then-mayor Sam Liccardo, then-vice mayor Chappie Jones, and several sitting council members, along with the San Jose Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee. He won the seat with 58 percent of the vote, succeeding term-limited incumbent Johnny Khamis, and took office in January 2021.
During his time on the city council, Mahan focused on local accountability, fiscal responsibility, and homelessness policy. In September 2021, he declared his candidacy for mayor of San Jose, proposing an accountability dashboard to track progress on issues like crime and homelessness and pledging to end automatic pay raises for city officials absent measurable results.
Mayoral Victory and 2024 Re-Election (2022–Present)
In November 2022, Mahan was elected mayor of San Jose, defeating Santa Clara County supervisor Cindy Chavez. He received the endorsement of three former mayors of the city, including Sam Liccardo. That same year, San Jose voters approved Measure B, aligning mayoral elections with presidential cycles and setting Mahan’s first term at two years.
Mahan was re-elected in 2024 with minimal opposition, defeating minor candidate Tyrone Wade with 86.6 percent of the vote. He began a four-year term following the victory. As mayor, he has prioritized public safety, fiscal discipline, and reform of the city’s booking process, and he has advocated expanding law enforcement technologies such as license plate readers and speed cameras.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Mahan’s tenure came in October 2024, when he and other council members called for the resignation of councilmember Omar Torres following allegations of child sexual misconduct. After weeks of public pressure, Torres stepped down and was subsequently arrested, a case that drew significant attention to oversight in city government. In 2024, Mahan also endorsed California Proposition 36, a position that contrasted with many other state Democratic leaders and reflected his focus on accountability and public safety.
Matt Mahan Career Wins
Since entering public office, Matt Mahan has compiled a record of electoral successes at the local level. His first major win came in 2020, when he was elected to the San Jose City Council, followed by his election as mayor in 2022 and his re-election in 2024. He has additionally been recognized by three former San Jose mayors, including his predecessor Sam Liccardo, for his practical approach to governance.
San Jose Mayoral Highlights
Mahan first won the mayoral seat in November 2022 by defeating Santa Clara County supervisor Cindy Chavez. His campaign emphasized accountability, fiscal responsibility, and pragmatic solutions to the city’s most pressing challenges. In 2024, Mahan secured re-election in landslide fashion, capturing 86.6 percent of the vote against minor candidate Tyrone Wade and beginning a four-year term. His decisive victories reflect broad public support for his governing style and policy priorities.
Other Wins and Achievements
Beyond his electoral wins, Mahan has been recognized for his leadership in civic technology, having co-founded two companies, Causes and Brigade, both focused on expanding political participation. His early-career achievements earned him fellowships, including the Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Fellowship, and a magna cum laude degree from Harvard University.
Matt Mahan Family
Family Background and Civic Lineage
Mahan was raised in Watsonville, California, in a Catholic household. His uncle, California real estate developer Ed Thrift, also attended Bellarmine College Preparatory. Mahan’s early exposure to local politics came through mentorships with former state senator Jim Beall and former Santa Clara County counsel Ann Ravel, both of whom shaped his interest in public service.
Personal Life
Mahan married Silvia-Wedad Scandar in 2012, after the two met during their freshman year at Harvard. The couple has two children and lives in San Jose’s Almaden Valley neighborhood. His family has been a central part of his life in the city he now leads.