San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan wants to be the optimistic candidate for California governor

Matt Mahan isn’t really a fan of the “moderate” label.

The San Jose mayor and Democratic candidate for governor, in fact, said, “I don’t know what moderate means,” when asked about his reputation during a recent trip to Los Angeles to talk housing and homelessness and tour Skid Row.

Instead, it’s optimism that Mahan said more accurately defines his campaign style, his would-be approach as California’s potential next governor, his persona.

“I try to be a pragmatic problem-solver...