"As the Capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose fuels global innovation - but despite the city's considerable economic heft, its elected leaders still struggle to command political clout on a broader stage. The city, California's third largest, has never produced a competitive candidate for governor in its modern history. And over the past 50 years, only two San Jose mayors - Sam Liccardo and Norm Mineta - have managed to parlay their local political success into winning runs at federal office. Why is that?"
"Mayor Matt Mahan's recent political maneuvers - including his frequent media appearances and rhetorical pot shots at Gov. Gavin Newsom - mark an effort to lay the groundwork for his own eventual run for higher office. Mahan insists he has no immediate plans for such a run - including next year's California gubernatorial election - and that he remains focused on his work leading San Jose. Still, he hasn't closed the door to a future election bid."
San Jose serves as Silicon Valley's capital and fuels global innovation, yet its local political leaders lack broad political influence. The city has never produced a competitive modern gubernatorial candidate, and only two mayors in five decades advanced to federal office. Mayor Matt Mahan's frequent media appearances and rhetorical pot shots at Gov. Gavin Newsom have prompted speculation about a future higher-office bid, though Mahan denies immediate plans and remains focused on city leadership while leaving future possibilities open. Political experts assess that Mahan may be better positioned than most predecessors to overcome San Jose's historical career ceiling. San Jose politicians face less national media attention than San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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