San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has been away from the council dais a lot during his run for California governor. A Bay Area News Group review found he missed more than a third of city council meetings and study sessions while campaigning, skipping 7 out of 19 sessions. That record arrives just as the June 2 primary looms and has sharpened questions about how the mayor split his time between City Hall and the statewide race.
As reported by The Mercury News, more than half of Mahan's absences lined up with campaign events or debates. The review also flagged missed sessions of regional agencies that help shape transportation and housing decisions affecting the South Bay.
Regional seats left empty
Public records back up at least some of those regional absences. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Planning Committee minutes from July 11, 2025 list Mayor Mahan among the absentees; those Metropolitan Transportation Commission minutes are part of the public record. These regional committees oversee multi‑billion‑dollar projects where San Jose officials try to safeguard the city's interests.
Mayor pushes back
In a statement to The Mercury News, Mahan framed his statewide bid as aligned with his local agenda. "In this race to fight for the same results I’m fighting to deliver here in San Jose: less homelessness, less crime, more affordable housing, better schools," he said. His campaign told the paper the gubernatorial run was meant to amplify San Jose's work, not replace the day-to-day functions of city government.
Local stakes as the primary nears
San Jose operates under a council-manager system, which limits the mayor's unilateral authority and makes policy decisions largely a council responsibility, according to the city's governance overview from the City of San José. That shared-power setup can make attendance and participation at meetings more critical, since most major moves require council involvement.
The City Manager’s 2025-26 budget request and five-year forecast project a General Fund shortfall of roughly $45.7 million for 2025-26, a structural pressure that leaves less room for missed meetings, according to the 2025-26 budget request from the City of San José. The statewide primary is scheduled for June 2, according to the California Secretary of State.
What to watch
As ballots go out and debates continue, San Jose voters and council members will be watching to see whether Mahan's campaign translates into concrete gains for the city or simply leaves local work unfinished. In the coming weeks, look for council members to request briefings on regional projects and to take a closer look at the mayor's calendar as the city navigates a tight budget and pressing policy deadlines.
