Here's who paid for San Jose mayor's Super Bowl ad - San Jose Spotlight

"The 30-second ad, which vaunts Mahan for making San Jose the "safest big city in America," brought the mayor's name into households across California. That's thanks to California Back to Basics, an independent expenditure committee set up to support Mahan's gubernatorial bid. The committee, which is barred from coordinating with Mahan's campaign, spent $1.5 million on the coveted commercial spot and has raised $3.2 million to date. Most of its funding came from eight people as of Feb. 5, according to finance disclosures reviewed by this news organization."

"Committees are required to report large expenditures within 24 hours - but only beginning 90 days before an election. "The Super Bowl ad gave us an opportunity to introduce Mayor Mahan to a statewide audience as a problem-solver rising above the toxic atmosphere that surrounds our politics today and the only candidate actually solving the problems that California voters want fixed: reducing homelessness, making housing more affordable and tackling crime," committee spokesperson Matthew Rodriguez told San José Spotlight."

A 30-second Super Bowl ad promoted San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan as having made the city the "safest big city in America," funded by California Back to Basics, an independent expenditure committee supporting his gubernatorial bid. The committee spent $1.5 million on the ad and reported $3.2 million raised, with most funding from eight donors as of Feb. 5. Michael Seibel donated $1 million. Marc and Ashley Merrill each gave $510,000. The committee cannot coordinate with Mahan's campaign. Committees must report large expenditures within 24 hours only during the 90 days before an election.

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