Reflections on the California Governor’s Race

Primary night is behind us, and I wanted to share my honest reflections on the June 2 California primary elections—especially the race for governor.

For the past several months, I worked as an advisor and LGBTQ+ liaison for San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s gubernatorial campaign.

I traveled across the state, helped build support in Southern California, and had the privilege of introducing him to communities I care deeply about.

In my Duke’s Download podcast (video below), I talk about what it was like campaigning statewide while Matt was still serving as mayor, the pace and scale of running for governor in California, and why the campaign ultimately fell short—but why I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

There’s no feeling more rewarding than working for the candidate you truly believe in—someone you know in your heart of hearts can make a real difference.

That’s how I felt about Matt Mahan. I first endorsed him the day (or the day after) he announced his run in late January. I had hoped to work with Rick Caruso again after his 2022 LA mayoral campaign, but when Rick decided not to run and threw his support behind Matt, he kindly connected us.

I started as a volunteer and soon came on as an advisor and liaison, focused on the LGBTQ+ community and Southern California outreach. Matt entered the race literally years after many of his opponents. He was a sitting mayor of a city of over a million people while running to lead the fourth-largest economy in the world.

The schedule was grueling—for him especially. I’d see his daily itinerary and feel exhausted just looking at it. Yet he showed up everywhere: Fresno to West Hollywood, San Diego, Monterey Park, downtown LA, and beyond.

I had the honor of bringing Matt to West Hollywood, showing him my community, and taking him to the Abbey. We did a short interview (available in a previous episode). California is gigantic—geographically, economically, and in every other way. Working on a gubernatorial campaign here is unlike anything else I’ve done, even after Obama, Clinton, and local races.

We fell short on election night. Early results showed Matt with around 5% of the vote, and he conceded gracefully. Tom Steyer spent hundreds of millions and was a frontrunner from the start. But success isn’t only measured by winning when you believe in the mission.

Matt was uniquely suited to tackle California’s biggest challenges: homelessness (he’s delivered real results with tiny homes and pragmatic approaches in San Jose), public safety and crime, and the affordability and housing crises. He offered pragmatic progressive leadership—solutions over toxic politics, implementation over rhetoric.

I’m a little melancholy that we won’t have him in the governor’s mansion addressing these issues right away. But I’m incredibly proud of the campaign we ran and the movement for pragmatic progressivism we advanced.

California’s results take time to finalize, but the stakes could not be higher. With the current national political climate, we need California to remain a progressive, pro-democracy stronghold. I will support the Democratic nominee wholeheartedly—whether it’s a matchup with a Republican or two Democrats advancing. I’ll do everything I can to keep a Democrat in the governor’s mansion.

The work doesn’t stop. I’m excited to support my friend Brian Goldsmith, who is the frontrunner to advance to the general election for State Senate District 24. Great candidates advanced, and the movement continues. I poured my heart into this reflection right after primary night. If you care about California politics, pragmatic leadership, homelessness, housing affordability, public safety, and keeping our state strong—watch the video below.

I’ve worked on winning campaigns and losing ones. I’ve even lost twice running for West Hollywood City Council myself. When you believe in the candidate and the cause, the result isn’t the only point. You fight because it’s right.

I’m proud to have been part of Matt Mahan’s historic effort. The mission to make California better—for working families, on affordability, safety, and opportunity—continues. Stay engaged. Subscribe for more candid conversations on politics and culture. What did you think of the primary results? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s keep the conversation going.