San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan spent last night on home turf, rallying supporters after California's polls closed and warning that a breakdown in public trust is pushing people toward the political extremes. With early returns from the state's wide-open gubernatorial primary just beginning to trickle in, he used the moment to promote his "Back to Basics" pitch. The event underscored how Mahan is trying to turn his San Jose record into a statewide argument.
Election night gathering in San Jose
Mahan addressed supporters at an Election Night event in San Jose as early results were reported, according to KTVU. His campaign had earlier promoted a Get Out The Vote rally and an Election Night watch party; the campaign's Mobilize pages list last Thursday's GOTV event at 1111 Story Rd and yesterday's watch party in San Jose.
What he told the crowd
A lack of trust in government is causing citizens to tune out or to turn to extreme views at both ends of the political spectrum, Mahan told the gathering, according to KTVU. He tied that warning to his "Back to Basics" platform, a menu of public safety, housing and regulatory reforms laid out on his campaign website. Mahan for Governor describes those priorities as the core of his bid to make state government more responsive.
Outside money and the polls
Mahan’s bid has attracted heavy backing from Silicon Valley investors and independent groups that spent to raise his profile and even bought costly ad time around major broadcasts, per the Los Angeles Times. Late May polling placed Mahan in the low single digits, leaving him with an uphill path to finish in the top two in California's jungle primary, according to KQED.
Local reaction and what's next
Some San Jose observers have criticized the mayor for spending so much time on the campaign trail that regular city business has suffered; Hoodline documented that pattern. Mahan told supporters Tuesday he would press on with his results first pitch as ballots continue to be counted across California, a process local outlets are still following on election night.
