Letters: Voters should reject Mahan and his trail of unfinished jobs

Also: Lagging candidates | Student security | Irreparable harm | Senseless war | Politically aware | AI guardrails. Mercury News reader letters to the editor for March 6, 2026.

06 Mar 2026, 00:00 by Letters To The Editor · The Mercury News

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Reject Mahan and trail of unfulfilled promises

Re: “Race for governor is tight early on” (Page A1, Feb. 26).

Matt Mahan was gifted an extra two years as mayor so that the next mayoral race would be held in 2028, aligning with the presidential election.

First, Mahan did not complete his term as District 10’s councilmember so he could run for mayor. Now he wants to not complete his term as mayor (which, if it happens, would require yet another special election). What happens if he (unlikely) becomes governor? Would he decide to run for president?

Under his mayoralty, the homeless have been pushed from the downtown core, but they are still here, now in the suburbs.

Mahan and others should drop out, so we don’t elect a Republican governor. No circular firing squad, please. There’s a reason tech bros are giving him money.

Alayne Yellum
San Jose

Mahan, other lagging candidates, should quit

Re: “Race for governor is tight early on” (Page A1, Feb. 26).

I am worried about the jungle primary and California Democrats having too many candidates in the upcoming primary.

How can a state that votes overwhelmingly Democratic end up with two Republicans as their top candidates in the general election? It’s time for those candidates with 5% support or less to drop out. Let’s start with the mayor of San Jose. Why is Matt Mahan running? Doesn’t San Jose need him to do the work he promised to do here?

Here’s to a fair and representative democracy.

Shannon Edwards
Los Gatos

SJSU should boost security for students

San Jose State’s King Library was the first of its kind to serve both university students and San Jose residents. It represents access, innovation and community partnership. But that shared model is straining students.

As downtown San Jose’s homeless population grows, more individuals are turning to the library for shelter, Wi-Fi and electricity. While those needs are real, the impact on students is undeniable. Even the designated student-only floors have become crowded and distracting. Reports of e-cigarette use, inappropriate bathroom behavior and even assaults in the lobby raise serious safety concerns.

Students deserve a secure environment to study, research and prepare for their futures. The university can support vulnerable populations while also protecting its campus community. Stronger ID enforcement on upper floors and increased security presence would be a reasonable start.

Abigail Kumpf
San Jose

Stop Iran war before there is irreparable harm

Re: “Forces pound Iranian locales” (Page A1, March 2).

President Trump says he is trying to safeguard Americans.

Now the U.S. mainland is on alert, travelers are stranded in the Middle East in possible danger, and there’s likely to be more U.S. soldiers killed.

As Pope Leo said, we must not escalate this war before it’s too late and irreparable damage has occurred. It’s a volatile situation. Hopefully, Trump has clear intentions and a timeline to end this unsettling war.

Celeste McGettigan
San Jose

Stop the senseless slaughter in Iran

Re: “Forces pound Iranian locales” (Page A1, March 2).

Where is the outrage? Our president ignored the U.S. Constitution, kept Congress in the dark and colluded with the prime minister of Israel to bomb a third country — Iran.

Now he is meeting with countries to whom he is beholden, countries that have lavished him with gifts or have supported his business ventures or political agenda. He is discussing next steps with Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, all while sacrificing American lives. After the first Americans were killed in Iran, he made a flippant remark stating that this is what happens in war; this from the man some call “Cadet Bone Spurs.”

Our world does not need war. America does not need to lose sons, brothers and fathers on foreign soil. Many countries seek liberation from evil rulers, but unilaterally policing the world is not the job of the American president. Taking care of America is.

Pauline Chand
San Jose

Becoming politically aware a step for justice

Many people who lack political awareness are actively contributing to the injustices of today’s administration. As an adult, it’s crucial to get informed and do research on the issues going on around you because claiming it doesn’t affect you is not only false, but it’s willingly turning a blind eye to the world burning around you, simply because the effects haven’t reached you or a loved one yet.

Being politically aware doesn’t mean you have to know everything about every issue, and neither does it mean you’re now forced to go out and do something about it; it simply means that if you hear about something unjust and bringing about people’s suffering, it is basic human empathy to condemn and acknowledge what isn’t morally correct.

If more people educated themselves about these topics, we’d be taking a step forward toward justice.

Elva Larios
Santa Clara

Make AI guardrails an election issue

Do you think that Artificial Intelligence helps you? Think again.

AI will not add jobs for you; it will take them. AI will raise your electric bill, put stress on the grid and greatly affect water resources. As AI continues to replace high-paying tech jobs of the very people who drive the housing market and improve the tax base, who gains? You?

This is where the Democrats should be reaching out to voters.

Denny West
San Jose