California

Did California's Gubernatorial Race Reveal the Limits of 'Abundance' Politics on the Left?

Matt Mahon tried to chart a reform-minded path, but too often he came across as a mushy moderate in an election that will be determined by partisans.

Steven Greenhut | 6.19.2026 7:30 AM

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Californians witnessed the most interesting gubernatorial matchup in decades given that, without any A-listers on the ballot, no one was Gov. Gavin Newsom's anointed successor. With Rep. Eric Swalwell dropping out following sexual-related allegations, billionaire Tom Steyer spending $200 million, and the possibility, however slight, of Republicans capturing both general-election spots, the race was tailor-made for journalists and pundits.

At the end of the day, the top-two system, which pits candidates from all parties in a jungle primary, resulted in a final choice between establishment-backed candidates that a partisan primary might have yielded. Others can assess the pluses and minuses of Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton, but the head-scratcher is the collapse of Matt Mahan. Well, collapse is too strong. One needs to gain momentum before losing it. He was never a serious contender and has under 4 percent of the vote.

Matt who? He's the Democratic mayor of San Jose, which is more populous than San Francisco and is the heart of Silicon Valley. He tried to chart a........

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