Overview
- Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Alex Lee endorsed Tom Steyer and criticized Matt Mahan as a candidate favored by “millionaire tech elitists.”
- Campaign filings show Sergey Brin, Joe Lonsdale and Garry Tan made maximum contributions to Mahan, with other wealthy donors helping fund a Super Bowl ad promoting his bid.
- The lawmakers faulted Mahan’s homelessness record, pointing to his proposal to penalize people who refuse shelter offers after a 2024 Supreme Court ruling enabled stricter local enforcement.
- Mahan, emphasizing a centrist “Back to Basics” platform, argued his critics defend the status quo and said San Jose has progressed by changing policies on homelessness and accountability.
- Steyer leads fundraising with $38 million reported as of Feb. 3, while Mahan says he raised about $7 million in his first week, with the top-two primary scheduled for June 2.