An independent expenditure committee, California Back to Basics Supporting Matt Mahan for Governor 2026, is investing $4.8 million in television advertisements to boost San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s bid for California governor, with the ads set to start airing Thursday. The substantial financial backing underscores the growing momentum behind Mahan’s campaign as he enters a crowded field vying to replace termed-out Governor Gavin Newsom in the 2026 election. This early investment in television advertising signals a strategic effort to quickly build name recognition for Mahan, who launched his campaign roughly four weeks ago.
The advertisements focus on Mahan’s personal narrative – his upbringing in a working-class family, his experiences working as a grounds crew member and middle school teacher – and his record as mayor of San Jose, California’s third-largest city. A narrator in one of the ads highlights Mahan’s focus on core issues, stating he “focused on the basics and delivered results on the things that matter most,” citing improvements in public safety, reductions in homelessness, and increased housing construction. The campaign is aiming to portray Mahan as a pragmatic leader focused on tangible results, a message intended to resonate with a broad range of California voters.
Silicon Valley Support Fuels Gubernatorial Run
The financial support for Mahan’s campaign is largely coming from prominent figures in Silicon Valley, reflecting a significant influx of tech industry money into California politics. Top donors to the independent expenditure committee include billionaire venture capitalist Michael Moritz, Ashley Merrill, founder of the luxury sleepwear company Lunya, and Michael Seibel, a partner at Y Combinator. According to reports, Mahan has raised nearly $9.2 million in large donations since entering the gubernatorial race, a figure that demonstrates his ability to attract significant financial backing from wealthy individuals and investors.
Billionaire Los Angeles developer Rick Caruso, who previously considered running for governor and mayor of Los Angeles, is too involved in the effort, according to a strategist with the committee who spoke anonymously. This involvement suggests a broader network of support for Mahan extending beyond Silicon Valley. The committee is legally prohibited from coordinating directly with Mahan’s campaign, a standard practice for independent expenditure groups.
Mahan’s Campaign and the 2026 Gubernatorial Landscape
Mahan’s entry into the 2026 gubernatorial race has added another layer of complexity to an already crowded field of candidates. The Los Angeles Times reported in August 2024 that several individuals were considering a run to replace Newsom, including current and former state officials. While Mahan currently lacks the name recognition of some of his competitors, his fundraising success, particularly within the tech community, positions him as a serious contender.
According to his Wikipedia page, Matt Mahan was born in San Francisco in 1982 and served as a member of the San Jose City Council from 2021 to 2023 before becoming mayor. He is a graduate of Harvard University and previously co-founded Brigade Media, a tech company focused on civic engagement. His background as a tech entrepreneur and his focus on practical solutions are central themes of his campaign.
The Role of Independent Expenditure Committees
Independent expenditure committees play a significant role in modern political campaigns, allowing individuals and organizations to spend unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose candidates, as long as they do not coordinate directly with the campaign. These committees often serve as a vehicle for wealthy donors to exert influence in elections. The California Back to Basics committee has not yet filed fundraising reports with the California Secretary of State’s office, but the disclosure information accompanying the ads reveals the identities of its major contributors.
The committee’s strategy of focusing on television advertising reflects a belief that reaching a broad audience through traditional media remains an effective way to build name recognition and shape public opinion. The ads are scheduled to air statewide on both broadcast and cable television, maximizing their reach across California’s diverse population.
The influx of money into Mahan’s campaign raises questions about the influence of Silicon Valley in California politics. The tech industry has become increasingly involved in state and local elections, seeking to advance its interests and support candidates who are seen as friendly to innovation and economic growth. The extent to which this financial support will translate into electoral success for Mahan remains to be seen.
As the 2026 gubernatorial election draws closer, the role of independent expenditure committees and the influence of wealthy donors are likely to become even more prominent. The California Back to Basics committee’s investment in Mahan’s campaign is just one example of the growing trend of outside spending in political races.
The next scheduled event related to the California gubernatorial election is the filing deadline for campaign finance reports, which will provide a more detailed picture of the fundraising landscape. These reports are expected to be released by the California Secretary of State’s office in the coming weeks.
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