Watch and Learn - Mayor Matt Mahan - His Vision as Democratic Candidate for Governor of California

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Welcome.

Welcome

Thank you.

Thank you

You are the mayor of San Jose.

You are the mayor of San Jose

How long have you been the mayor of San Jose?

How long have you been the mayor of San Jose

And tell me a little something about San Jose.

And tell me a little something about San Jose

So I'm going into my fourth year.

So I'm going into my fourth year

San Jose is an amazing place, city of a million people,

San Jose is an amazing place city of a million people

heart of Silicon Valley, largest

heart of Silicon Valley largest

city in Northern California, believe it or not.

city in Northern California believe it or not

San Francisco gets a lot of attention, but we are the--

San Francisco gets a lot of attention but we are the-

JON STEWART: It does quite a bit of attention.

JON STEWART: It does quite a bit of attention

Most diverse, most innovative, great food.

Most diverse most innovative great food

It's a magical place.

It's a magical place

That's amazing.

That's amazing

And so you decided to run for mayor.

And so you decided to run for mayor

You were-- I'm assuming you ran some kind of startup.

You were- I'm assuming you ran some kind of startup

I was in the startup world.

I was in the startup world

Before that, though, I was a public school teacher.

Before that though I was a public school teacher

OK.

[CHEERING]

CHEERING

What grade did you teach?

What grade did you teach

Seventh and eighth grade, English and history.

Seventh and eighth grade English and history

Oh, that's wonderful.

Oh that's wonderful

And you left there when?

And you left there when

Teaching?

Teaching

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm

2008.

2008

Interesting.

Interesting

To do what?

To do what

- To get into the tech world. - You son of a bitch.

To get into the tech world You son of a bitch

I know. You got me.

I know You got me

You got me. But hold on.

You got me But hold on

Hold on.

Hold on

We're building civic tech tools to help people participate

in their democracy and hold their elected

officials accountable.

officials accountable

JON STEWART: Lovely work.

JON STEWART: Lovely work

So what made you want to get into the politics side of it?

So what made you want to get into the politics side of it

Well, I've always followed local politics

Well I've always followed local politics

and just felt that government at its best

creates opportunity, makes people's lives better.

creates opportunity makes people's lives better

I grew up in a farming town on the central coast,

I grew up in a farming town on the central coast

Watsonville, home of Driscoll's strawberries

Watsonville home of Driscoll's strawberries

and Martinelli's Apple Cider.

and Martinelli's Apple Cider

Great place.

Great place

[CHEERING]

CHEERING

No, they know.

No they know

Oh, they-- before you got out here,

Oh they- before you got out here

all they were talking about were strawberries and cider.

all they were talking about were strawberries and cider

That was all--

That was all-

I couldn't get them on anything else.

I couldn't get them on anything else

Every question they would ask--

Every question they would ask-

(IN SILLY VOICE) what's your favorite strawberry?

IN SILLY VOICE what's your favorite strawberry

[LAUGHTER]

LAUGHTER

Well, we definitely have the best.

Well we definitely have the best

So my mom was a teacher.

So my mom was a teacher

My dad was a letter carrier.

My dad was a letter carrier

The public library was our afterschool program.

The public library was our afterschool program

I mean, this is just-- when government services

I mean this is just- when government services

work, they create opportunity.

work they create opportunity

They make people's lives better.

They make people's lives better

And right now, not just in California, across the country,

And right now not just in California across the country

we're seeing declining trust in government.

we're seeing declining trust in government

We're seeing people turn to authoritarianism because they

just want things to work, and they're tired of being

just want things to work and they're tired of being

asked to pay more for less.

asked to pay more for less

And that led me to want to get involved and

see if I could help make our local government

work better for people.

work better for people

So you've been doing that.

So you've been doing that

You're doing that four years.

You're doing that four years

I'm assuming-- and you decided to jump

I'm assuming- and you decided to jump

into the governor's race.

into the governor's race

Are you also running for mayor?

Are you also running for mayor

How long is the mayor's term in San Jose?

How long is the mayor's term in San Jose

Four years.

Four years

So you're done.

So you're done

Actually, we realigned around the presidential cycle.

Actually we realigned around the presidential cycle

I got reelected with 87% of the vote, not bad.

I got reelected with 87 of the vote not bad

Didn't stuff any ballot boxes.

Didn't stuff any ballot boxes

Look at little Putin over here.

Look at little Putin over here

[LAUGHTER]

LAUGHTER

87% of the vote.

87 of the vote

What?

What

That's bananas in America.

That's bananas in America

So you get elected.

So you get elected

When was the election?

When was the election

So that was four years ago.

So that was four years ago

Then I ran two years in, and now I'm halfway

Then I ran two years in and now I'm halfway

through a four-year term.

through a four-year term

JON STEWART: And you were like, [BLEEP] this.

JON STEWART: And you were like BLEEP this

Well, Jon, I just didn't think enough people

Well Jon I just didn't think enough people

were running for governor.

were running for governor

[LAUGHTER]

LAUGHTER

How many people are running for governor?

How many people are running for governor

It's unclear.

It's unclear

At least a dozen.

At least a dozen

And all on the Democratic side.

And all on the Democratic side

So explain to the people-- you know,

So explain to the people- you know

California is not like a typical-- like,

California is not like a typical- like

there's a Republican primary.

there's a Republican primary

There's a Democratic primary.

There's a Democratic primary

This is an open primary.

This is an open primary

It's wide open.

It's wide open

So any anyone with any party affiliation

can vote for any of the candidates.

can vote for any of the candidates

There are Republicans running, a ton of Democrats.

There are Republicans running a ton of Democrats

Top two go head to head in November.

Top two go head to head in November

How-- so there are like, 2 or 3 Republicans running and like,

How- so there are like 2 or 3 Republicans running and like

8 or 9 or 10 or 11, 20--

8 or 9 or 10 or 11 20-

At least.

At least

--Democrats?

-Democrats

It's a great plan, and it so smacks of the Democratic Party

It's a great plan and it so smacks of the Democratic Party

to split the vote into such fractious fiefdoms

that the only two people standing

are the two Republicans.

are the two Republicans

So smart, so typical.

So smart so typical

Have the Democratic candidates discussed this with each other?

Have the Democratic candidates discussed this with each other

Right now, undecided is beating everybody, OK?

Right now undecided is beating everybody OK

Wait what?

Wait what

Yeah.

Yeah

Undecided is still in first place, which

Undecided is still in first place which

is part of why I jumped in.

is part of why I jumped in

Because--

Because-

[LAUGHTER]

LAUGHTER

--I think we need to be clear with Californians

-I think we need to be clear with Californians

about how we're going to make their lives better.

about how we're going to make their lives better

Spending in California is up 75%--

Spending in California is up 75-

JON STEWART: Why do you want to be governor of California?

JON STEWART: Why do you want to be governor of California

It is a disaster waiting to happen.

It is a disaster waiting to happen

It matters.

It matters

Do you know why they film all the earthquake

movies with The Rock there?

movies with The Rock there

[LAUGHTER]

LAUGHTER

You've been in a drought for 80 years.

You've been in a drought for 80 years

Why don't you go run New Hampshire?

Why don't you go run New Hampshire

[LAUGHTER]

LAUGHTER

What are you doing out there?

What are you doing out there

You know.

You know

What we're-- what we're doing in San Jose has been working.

What we're- what we're doing in San Jose has been working

I'm really proud of our city.

I'm really proud of our city

We've come together around focusing

on our biggest problems and being much more pragmatic.

on our biggest problems and being much more pragmatic

We've led the state in bringing people indoors.

We've led the state in bringing people indoors

We've reduced homelessness by about a third

by building basic, dignified shelter, improving outreach,

by building basic dignified shelter improving outreach

doing more prevention.

doing more prevention

We've hired police officers from our community,

We've hired police officers from our community

done a lot of community policing,

done a lot of community policing

and started to tackle quality of life, crime.

and started to tackle quality of life crime

Crime has dropped.

Crime has dropped

We're now the safest big city in the country.

We're now the safest big city in the country

Really?

Really

- Yes, sir. - That's not bad.

Yes sir That's not bad

We have--

We have-

[LAUGHTER]

LAUGHTER

We've reduced barriers to building housing.

We've reduced barriers to building housing

We've sped up permitting, dropped our fees.

We've sped up permitting dropped our fees

Thousands of new homes--

Thousands of new homes-

And you'd like to transfer that.

And you'd like to transfer that

Now, does California hamstring you in any way

Now does California hamstring you in any way

in this list of accounting?

in this list of accounting

Because the thing about California that surprised

me is fourth largest economy--

me is fourth largest economy-

I think in the world, yes?

I think in the world yes

I mean, it's like running a country.

I mean it's like running a country

But you're running a country by referendum.

But you're running a country by referendum

They've got all those propositions.

They've got all those propositions

You can't raise prop-- you know, the Bel Air Hotel pays

You can't raise prop- you know the Bel Air Hotel pays

the same property taxes as, like, a guy who's living

the same property taxes as like a guy who's living

in, I think, Eagle Rock.

in I think Eagle Rock

Like, what-- how do you run a state that is that fakakta--

Like what- how do you run a state that is that fakakta-

[LAUGHTER]

LAUGHTER

--uh Queen's English, that word--

-uh Queen's English that word-

in terms of how it hamstrings your ability

to address those problems and use

the funding properly to move in different directions?

the funding properly to move in different directions

Well, we're still less constrained

Well we're still less constrained

than you might think.

than you might think

The state has incredible revenue.

The state has incredible revenue

We spent $350 billion a year.

We spent 350 billion a year

We're able to because we have the world's leading industries,

We're able to because we have the world's leading industries

not just tech--

not just tech-

Hollywood agriculture.

Hollywood agriculture

Californians are the most innovative and

productive people on Earth.

productive people on Earth

We have a lot of resources.

We have a lot of resources

- I would-- - I'm running--

I would- I'm running-

--push back on that a little.

-push back on that a little

I think it's time to--

I think it's time to-

[LAUGHTER]

LAUGHTER

I think we've got to ask our government

to do better before we ask people to give more.

to do better before we ask people to give more

And we're seeing plenty of models,

And we're seeing plenty of models

including in San Jose, but also other states.

including in San Jose but also other states

Mississippi is doing a better job

of educating low-income students

than we are in California.

than we are in California

I think that's completely unacceptable.

I think that's completely unacceptable

When government works, it helps working

When government works it helps working

people really achieve their full potential,

people really achieve their full potential

the American dream.

the American dream

And we have closed that off to too many people

because the state is too expensive.

because the state is too expensive

We have to really own our challenges.

We have to really own our challenges

Yes, we've got to fight against Donald Trump.

Yes we've got to fight against Donald Trump

California has to lead the fight

against this authoritarian administration in Washington.

against this authoritarian administration in Washington

But the best way to do that is to deliver

better public schools, more affordable housing, more

better public schools more affordable housing more

affordable energy, and really show

affordable energy and really show

that our values in California work in practice.

that our values in California work in practice

That's what I've been working to do in San Jose.

That's what I've been working to do in San Jose

I want to do that statewide.

I want to do that statewide

You bring up a really interesting point.

You bring up a really interesting point

And I think this is something that has been divorced from--

And I think this is something that has been divorced from-

Democrats are generally the party

that believes that government has a role to play

in improving people's lives.

in improving people's lives

Republicans are generally the party that says,

Republicans are generally the party that says

I bet I can break that.

I bet I can break that

So for Democrats, it's always been interesting that they've

So for Democrats it's always been interesting that they've

had trouble connecting the money

that they're asking to raise through taxes to the value

it's providing to taxpayers.

it's providing to taxpayers

So to the point of like, there's a lot of referendums up

So to the point of like there's a lot of referendums up

there now-- a billionaires' tax or

there now- a billionaires' tax or

getting people that pay $100,000 not

getting people that pay 100000 not

to have to pay any income tax.

to have to pay any income tax

But I think too often, the politicians haven't connected

But I think too often the politicians haven't connected

that money to real value.

that money to real value

I don't think people trust that that money

will be spent responsibly or have any efficacy.

will be spent responsibly or have any efficacy

So predictably, being the capital of Silicon Valley,

So predictably being the capital of Silicon Valley

we created some dashboards to show people--

we created some dashboards to show people-

Oh, dear God.

Oh dear God

--how we're spending their dollars.

-how we're spending their dollars

It works because--

It works because-

[LAUGHTER]

LAUGHTER

You're being replaced by AI?

You're being replaced by AI

[LAUGHTER]

LAUGHTER

Hopefully not too soon.

Hopefully not too soon

It's more of a copilot.

It's more of a copilot

JON STEWART: I see.

JON STEWART: I see

We've set-- we've set goals around reducing homelessness,

We've set- we've set goals around reducing homelessness

reducing crime, building more housing, cleaning up our city,

reducing crime building more housing cleaning up our city

growing the local economy, and showed people how

growing the local economy and showed people how

we're spending their dollars.

we're spending their dollars

And--

And-

They're responding to that.

They're responding to that

Well, more importantly, it's making us better

Well more importantly it's making us better

when we look at the data, when we say,

when we look at the data when we say

OK, here's the program we're funding.

OK here's the program we're funding

Here's the policy.

Here's the policy

This is what we thought would happen,

This is what we thought would happen

and then it didn't happen. We adjust.

and then it didn't happen We adjust

We're actually learning.

We're actually learning

We're getting smarter.

We're getting smarter

We're doing more with the dollars we have.

We're doing more with the dollars we have

And in the last three years, by reducing homelessness and

And in the last three years by reducing homelessness and

crime and blight and getting housing under construction

again, we've increased trust in government in San Jose by 40%

again we've increased trust in government in San Jose by 40

by delivering results.

by delivering results

This is the antidote--

This is the antidote-

JON STEWART: How'd you measure that--

JON STEWART: How'd you measure that-

AI?

Because I've gotten some answers--

Because I've gotten some answers-

- Just a-- - --from AI that are a little--

Just a- -from AI that are a little-

--just a classic--

-just a classic-

--the word I think, is farkakte.

-the word I think is farkakte

Yeah yeah.

Yeah yeah

This is just a classic survey.

This is just a classic survey

We do a survey every year.

We do a survey every year

We ask people what they care about.

We ask people what they care about

Right.

Right

We're focusing on those things.

We're focusing on those things

We're being transparent about how we're spending their money.

We're being transparent about how we're spending their money

We're holding ourselves accountable for spending

it in ways that deliver.

it in ways that deliver

Give me an example of, let's-- let's talk

Give me an example of let's- let's talk

about homelessness.

about homelessness

So how do these tools help, and a concrete example

So how do these tools help and a concrete example

of where the efficacy was shown not to be working

and the adjustment made.

and the adjustment made

Because I think that'll help people

get their head around what this governing

philosophy is all about.

philosophy is all about

When I came into local office,

When I came into local office

we had a plan to end homelessness.

we had a plan to end homelessness

The problem was, there wasn't any math.

The problem was there wasn't any math

I said, well, how are we actually

I said well how are we actually

going to end homelessness?

going to end homelessness

And as I did the back of the envelope math,

And as I did the back of the envelope math

it was clear that we would need 20 years and $6 billion

it was clear that we would need 20 years and 6 billion

that we didn't have, and we had no plan to have.

that we didn't have and we had no plan to have

In just San Jose.

In just San Jose

In terms of what we were doing,

In terms of what we were doing

because we were putting all of our money

into the slowest, most expensive solution that

into the slowest most expensive solution that

is a great solution for the lucky few

who would get a brand new apartment that

would cost $1 million to build and take six years or more

would cost 1 million to build and take six years or more

to build.

to build

I just said, this isn't going to scale.

I just said this isn't going to scale

We can't actually meet the need.

We can't actually meet the need

We have thousands of people living on our streets, hundreds

We have thousands of people living on our streets hundreds

a year dying.

a year dying

We've got to get people indoors a lot faster, much more

We've got to get people indoors a lot faster much more

cost effectively.

cost effectively

So we started buying old motels and converting them.

So we started buying old motels and converting them

We bought modular units or tiny homes

and put them out on publicly-owned land.

and put them out on publicly-owned land

We created safe sleeping and parking sites.

We created safe sleeping and parking sites

We started to rapidly expand safe alternatives

to the streets.

to the streets

And really bring-- give people a dignified alternative.

And really bring- give people a dignified alternative

And--

And-

Now, critics would say, to be fair,

Now critics would say to be fair

that that-- that that kind of solution is temporary housing.

that that- that that kind of solution is temporary housing

It doesn't really end homelessness,

It doesn't really end homelessness

they-- they would say.

they- they would say

And your critics, by the way, called us when they found

And your critics by the way called us when they found

out you were on the show.

out you were on the show

You're apparently on people's radar.

You're apparently on people's radar

And they said that in San Jose, they

And they said that in San Jose they

felt that it was a mirage, that you didn't

felt that it was a mirage that you didn't

really reduce homelessness.

really reduce homelessness

It seems like six of one, half dozen of the other.

It seems like six of one half dozen of the other

They're saying that by temporarily

housing people, that's just pushing it down the road.

housing people that's just pushing it down the road

Is that a fair criticism?

Is that a fair criticism

I don't think it is.

I don't think it is

Number one, we've ended an immense amount

Number one we've ended an immense amount

of human suffering.

of human suffering

Right.

Right

Fewer people are living outside in tents.

Fewer people are living outside in tents

Fewer people are dying outside.

Fewer people are dying outside

We've moved thousands of people indoors,

We've moved thousands of people indoors

the vast majority of whom remain off the streets.

the vast majority of whom remain off the streets

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm

And already in just the last four years,

And already in just the last four years

28% of the people we've moved indoors

28 of the people we've moved indoors

have graduated to permanent housing.

have graduated to permanent housing

Some have gone on to get jobs, be able to pay their own rent

Some have gone on to get jobs be able to pay their own rent

and really kind reenter society.

and really kind reenter society

It's not easy.

It's not easy

We're talking about a population

that needs a lot help.

that needs a lot help

We're starting from a very difficult situation,

We're starting from a very difficult situation

where people have in some cases,

where people have in some cases

spent years chronically homeless.

spent years chronically homeless

In many cases, dealing with--

In many cases dealing with-

with addiction and mental illness.

with addiction and mental illness

But giving people a safe indoor place

with a private room with a door that locks,

with a private room with a door that locks

access to a case manager, three meals a day and a safe place,

access to a case manager three meals a day and a safe place

is so much better than where we've been.

is so much better than where we've been

Right.

Right

And while I would love to build a brand new apartment

for everyone who needs it, our rigid commitment to there only

for everyone who needs it our rigid commitment to there only

being one solution to this problem

has, in practice, left thousands of people

has in practice left thousands of people

to live and die on our streets, not

to live and die on our streets not

to mention the broader impacts on the rest of society.

to mention the broader impacts on the rest of society

And to bring it back to where you started the show, with--

And to bring it back to where you started the show with-

Cursing?

Cursing

Cursing about-- cursing about Donald Trump,

Cursing about- cursing about Donald Trump

when we fail to move the needle on the basics,

when we fail to move the needle on the basics

like sheltering people who are suffering and dying

on our streets, we give a lot of ammunition to folks who

on our streets we give a lot of ammunition to folks who

would approach the problem very differently,

would approach the problem very differently

who'd rather just lock everybody up who's homeless,

who'd rather just lock everybody up who's homeless

which isn't a real solution.

which isn't a real solution

Right.

Right

So we're trying to move forward pragmatic solutions,

So we're trying to move forward pragmatic solutions

get people stabilized, give them dignity, connection

get people stabilized give them dignity connection

to case management and services,

to case management and services

give them a real chance to turn their lives around.

give them a real chance to turn their lives around

And that for you, that's-- that's the approach

And that for you that's- that's the approach

you're taking on.

you're taking on

Let's-- let's examine it, let's break it down.

Let's- let's examine it let's break it down

Let's not look at it as a blob.

Let's not look at it as a blob

Let's look at the individual data and see what has efficacy

and where we can go.

and where we can go

Take housing.

Take housing

Our biggest policy failure, biggest barrier

Our biggest policy failure biggest barrier

to economic mobility in California

is the lack of housing.

is the lack of housing

And at some point, we have to own that problem.

And at some point we have to own that problem

That's one we can't blame Donald Trump for.

That's one we can't blame Donald Trump for

Right.

Right

We have to look in the mirror and

recognize that when it takes two years to get

environmental clearance or city fees at 20%

environmental clearance or city fees at 20

to the cost of building a home, we're part of the problem.

to the cost of building a home we're part of the problem

Right.

Right

We need to make it much easier to build.

We need to make it much easier to build

We've got to build faster.

We've got to build faster

I just put a-- the most comprehensive housing plan

I just put a- the most comprehensive housing plan

of any candidate in this race on my website

at mahanforcalifornia.com, and I break down how we

at mahanforcaliforniacom and I break down how we

reduce the cost of building.

reduce the cost of building

Does it worry you that whenever

they search that website, they end up on MAHA?

they search that website they end up on MAHA

Does that-- does that bother you in any way?

Does that- does that bother you in any way

You've got-- you got to get the N in there.

You've got- you got to get the N in there

You can't spell MAHA without--

You can't spell MAHA without-

The N is really important.

The N is really important

You you've jumped in.

You you've jumped in

It's only been a few weeks, and you've clearly got-- you've

It's only been a few weeks and you've clearly got- you've

raised a ton of money so far.

raised a ton of money so far

You raised a thing.

You raised a thing

A lot of it is Sin--

A lot of it is Sin-

Silicon Valley.

Silicon Valley

For the country at large, that's a, I don't want to say

For the country at large that's a I don't want to say

demonized industry, but it's-- it's a frightening

demonized industry but it's- it's a frightening

one for a lot of people.

one for a lot of people

Speaking of homelessness, like, Meta is about to lay off,

Speaking of homelessness like Meta is about to lay off

I think 15,000 people.

I think 15000 people

We're all very concerned that AI

is going to make a lot more people be in that position

where they're vulnerable to homelessness and all kinds

of other types of issues.

of other types of issues

Reassure-- why are they supporting you?

Reassure- why are they supporting you

Why should we trust their money,

Why should we trust their money

and why should we trust their industry?

and why should we trust their industry

Well, first of all, I think I'm--

Well first of all I think I'm-

You have five seconds,

You have five seconds

I think--

I think-

I think I'm the only candidate in this race who

has actually regulated tech.

has actually regulated tech

As mayor of a big city, we use a lot of technology,

As mayor of a big city we use a lot of technology

including AI, and we are very careful about what

including AI and we are very careful about what

data we collect.

data we collect

We're completely transparent with people.

We're completely transparent with people

You can go to our website and see what we collect and why.

You can go to our website and see what we collect and why

We don't use facial recognition.

We don't use facial recognition

With our-- some of our technology,

With our- some of our technology

we choose to delete the data after 30 days

if it's not useful.

if it's not useful

So we're really clear about what we collect

and why and how we protect people's

privacy and data security.

privacy and data security

People are right to be concerned.

People are right to be concerned

These tools are very powerful.

These tools are very powerful

They can make our lives better.

They can make our lives better

They can also create a surveillance state or all sorts

of other terrible outcomes.

of other terrible outcomes

Job disruption.

Job disruption

In terms of jobs, we haven't waited for AI to happen to us.

In terms of jobs we haven't waited for AI to happen to us

I think it would be a mistake to try

to regulate the industry to the point

where it's just created somewhere else.

where it's just created somewhere else

We need to shape it.

We need to shape it

We need to regulate in a way that makes

it work for-- for people.

it work for- for people

Are they in any way, open to that kind of discussion?

Are they in any way open to that kind of discussion

Because the general sense that I've gotten,

Because the general sense that I've gotten

and maybe this is just from a-- a few of the louder voices,

and maybe this is just from a- a few of the louder voices

is they are very clear about any interference in what they

are doing in the lab underneath the volcano that they live in

is helping China.

is helping China

So, the things that you're saying,

So the things that you're saying

are they amenable to that discussion in any way?

are they amenable to that discussion in any way

Some tech leaders get it and are, some aren't.

Some tech leaders get it and are some aren't

But it doesn't matter.

But it doesn't matter

We have to be, because technology

We have to be because technology

has to work for people.

has to work for people

Technological change is incredibly hard on people.

Technological change is incredibly hard on people

There are a lot of risks here.

There are a lot of risks here

We have to manage this transition

in a way that makes sure that people still

can earn a livelihood, are safe, that their privacy

can earn a livelihood are safe that their privacy

is protected.

is protected

It is really important that we get this right.

It is really important that we get this right

We do want the innovation to happen here.

We do want the innovation to happen here

We want to make sure that the jobs of the future

are created here first, and that we have a say in how

are created here first and that we have a say in how

this technology is used.

this technology is used

But there's a difference between being

in the private sector and creating a tool,

in the private sector and creating a tool

and sitting in a public policy-making role

and thinking about the second and third order effects

and how we protect people.

and how we protect people

Right.

Right

Yeah, you're an interesting part of this new,

Yeah you're an interesting part of this new

as we're looking to a new generation of Democratic

leaders, there's people like, there's Mayor Lurie in San

leaders there's people like there's Mayor Lurie in San

Francisco, there's-- there's people within the Democratic

Francisco there's- there's people within the Democratic

Party who are saying, like, we have to be more

Party who are saying like we have to be more

solution-oriented, and we can still have progressive value

solution-oriented and we can still have progressive value

through that type of solution.

through that type of solution

Do you-- are you in touch with other people

Do you- are you in touch with other people

of that similar mindset?

of that similar mindset

Are you guys always discussing and workshopping solutions?

Are you guys always discussing and workshopping solutions

How does that operate?

How does that operate

Yeah, Mayor Lurie and I talk regularly.

Yeah Mayor Lurie and I talk regularly

Mayors are quite pragmatic, typically.

Mayors are quite pragmatic typically

- Right. - We get stopped at the--

Right We get stopped at the-

You got to get shit done.

You got to get shit done

Yeah, we're held accountable.

Yeah we're held accountable

I mean, I take my kids to the grocery store on Sunday,

I mean I take my kids to the grocery store on Sunday

it takes me two hours to get through the grocery store,

it takes me two hours to get through the grocery store

because everybody wants to talk about--

because everybody wants to talk about-

Oh.

I just saw you're incredibly indecisive.

I just saw you're incredibly indecisive

Yeah.

Yeah

Two hours.

Two hours

I was just like, oh, Christ.

I was just like oh Christ

I'd probably be behind him in line.

I'd probably be behind him in line

Green grapes or purple?

Green grapes or purple

They're both so delicious.

They're both so delicious

But yeah, people want to talk to you.

But yeah people want to talk to you

People-- people know who their mayor is,

People- people know who their mayor is

and they want to know what you're doing to make their life

better every single day.

better every single day

And I want to bring that level of accountability to Sacramento

and show people that we-- that our California values

and show people that we- that our California values

in practice can lead to better public schools,

in practice can lead to better public schools

more affordable housing, more affordable energy,

more affordable housing more affordable energy

safer streets. - Nice.

safer streets Nice

We've got to prove that.

We've got to prove that

Your mouth to God's ears.

Your mouth to God's ears

If we don't, we-- we lose the trust of voters.

If we don't we- we lose the trust of voters

Yeah.

Yeah

When's the primary?

When's the primary

June 2.

June 2

Oh, it's coming up.

Oh it's coming up

Real soon.

Real soon

Who-- do you think anybody is-- is dropping?

Who- do you think anybody is- is dropping

It's not going to be you, because you got,

It's not going to be you because you got

now you got a little, you got a little nest egg now,

now you got a little you got a little nest egg now

so you can stay in there.

so you can stay in there

But is anyone dropping out or is this just going to be

like scream until the end?

like scream until the end

Well, look, voters aren't even,

Well look voters aren't even

most voters are not even aware that an election is coming.

most voters are not even aware that an election is coming

This is an off cycle race.

This is an off cycle race

People are just starting to tune in.

People are just starting to tune in

And when-- I think that when they see what we've done in San

And when- I think that when they see what we've done in San

Jose to be the safest big city, to reduce homelessness faster--

Jose to be the safest big city to reduce homelessness faster-

Have you guys had a big debate yet together?

Have you guys had a big debate yet together

We've had-- we've had a few debates.

We've had- we've had a few debates

I think we're going to have many more.

I think we're going to have many more

And I'm excited to share with people how we

get California back to basics.

get California back to basics

Who's leaving first?

Who's leaving first

Who's the worst?

Who's the worst

Who's-- who's-- let me ask you this.

Who's- who's- let me ask you this

Weakest link?

Weakest link

Who's going first?

Who's going first

I'm going to--

I'm going to-

I'm going to let the voters decide that one.

I'm going to let the voters decide that one

Sorry.

Sorry

So smooth.

So smooth

Thank you very much for joining us.

Thank you very much for joining us

- Thanks for having me. - Really interesting.

Thanks for having me Really interesting

Mayor Matt Mahan.

Mayor Matt Mahan

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