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.

In fact, the San Jose mayor and Democratic candidate for governor 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.

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Instead, it’s optimism that Mahan said more accurately defines his campaign style,...