San Jose mayor's social media use faces criticism - San Jose Spotlight

"The public is paying for the development and manicuring of this private channel of communication. (Mahan) is running a 'Back to Basics' campaign, and the campaign should be paying attention to the basics of campaign finance law."

"Two City Hall staffers allege over the years Mahan has assigned employees in his office to work on his private social media accounts. But even as the accounts have functioned as quasi-official platforms, Mahan has used them to advance his political goals, including the promotion of his policy agenda to a statewide audience."

"Critics maintain years of mixed messaging have undermined the guardrails that typically separate government business from campaign activity - and in the process, potentially violated election laws."

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan launched city-backed social media accounts in February after complaints about using personal accounts for both city business and gubernatorial campaign promotion. City Hall staffers allege Mahan assigned employees to work on his private social media accounts over the years, raising concerns about misuse of city resources. Critics argue the practice violates election laws and undermines separation between government and campaign activity. While the mayor's office claims the new official accounts clarify communication lines, opponents maintain years of mixed messaging have already compromised proper guardrails. The staffers contend that public funding supports development of accounts now used for campaign purposes, contradicting the mayor's stated campaign focus on basic compliance.

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