San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s bid for governor has benefited from the support of some of California’s biggest tech titans, who have spent tens of millions of dollars to try to send the moderate Democrat to Sacramento. 

On Thursday, Mahan unveiled a wide-ranging plan to “hold Big Tech accountable,” with a suite of proposals that include cracking down on youth social media use, setting up a fund to support workers displaced by AI, and establishing greater human oversight over AI tools. 

This rollout is a test of whether Mahan can convince voters he’s independent from the tech industry funding his campaign — and whether California leaders can rein in Silicon Valley without alienating the economic engine that underpins the state.

Mahan’s top supporters represent some of Silicon Valley’s biggest companies, whose executives have collectively dropped tens of millions into his campaign account and an independent committee backing his bid. They include Google cofounder Sergey Brin, former Y Combinator partner Michael Seibel, Stripe CEO Patrick Collison, and venture capitalist Michael Moritz, chairman of The Standard. 

Mahan told The Standard on Wednesday that his framework “offers a balanced approach that keeps innovation here in California” while “guarding against the risks” of rapidly evolving technologies. And amid voter concerns that he is beholden to Silicon Valley, Mahan said his proposals prove that he is unafraid to regulate the industries whose executives are spending big to get him elected (opens in new tab). 

“I’m going to always make decisions rooted in the public interest and what is good for people over time,” he said, adding that he did not ask any tech donors to review the plan or give their “input or blessing.”

Their fortunes have done little to propel Mahan’s campaign. With less than three weeks before the June 2 top-two primary, Mahan is polling at just 7%, according to the latest David Binder Research survey (opens in new tab). A Republican, former Fox News contributor Steve Hilton, led the crowded pack, with 23% of support, while Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra was the highest-polling Democrat, at 22%.

Mahan’s fellow Democrats have criticized his donor list, arguing that his campaign is fueled by MAGA-aligned interests.

A spokesperson for billionaire climate activist and fellow gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer said in a statement that Mahan’s plan “parrots industry talking points on child safety and would do little to protect Californians from AI job displacement.”

“It’s no surprise that Big Tech’s chosen candidate would do little to rein in the industry,” the Steyer spokesperson added. “Tom refuses to allow a handful of tech oligarchs rule California while millions of people are left behind.” 

California’s next governor will have the challenging task of balancing Silicon Valley’s interests and financial might with efforts to regulate both legacy and emerging companies. Gov. Gavin Newsom has in recent years dealt with intense lobbying from the industry against a slew of bills to establish strict guardrails on AI development or to limit chatbot use for kids.   

Mahan said his years as a city councilman and mayor of San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley, have given him the experience to deftly thread that needle. 

A large portion of Mahan’s plan focuses on forcing AI and data center companies to cover surging electrical costs and address the environmental impacts of their strain (opens in new tab) on the grid. He is also proposing a “shared prosperity fund” that would use a portion of tax revenue from data centers and robotics manufacturers to establish job training and apprenticeship programs, among other initiatives, for workers most likely to be displaced by AI, to ensure they remain competitive in the job market. 

“If we happen to see mass job loss very quickly, then we may need to talk about much more aggressive interventions like [universal basic income],” Mahan said. “I just think our policy responses have to always be centered on people and their well-being.” 

He is also proposing a cellphone ban in schools and a requirement that children be at least 16 to set up social media accounts without parental consent.

“I think parents ought to be in control,” said Mahan, who has two young kids. 

He noted that San Jose has used AI to improve basic local government functions, like identifying potholes, and to speed up bureaucratic processes like business and housing permits, initiatives that he said he would replicate as governor. 

“What sets me apart in this race is I’m the only candidate who has worked directly with emerging technologies to improve public services and opportunities for our residents, while regulating those tools to reduce privacy, security, and other risks,” he said.