Mayor Matt Mahan - Democratic Mayors

In his first State of the City Address, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan emphasized the importance of unity among the city’s residents and the need for a safer, more prosperous, and peaceful future for all. His priorities include public safety, mental health, homelessness, affordable housing, blight, and economic investment.

Public safety is a key priority for Mayor Mahan, and he acknowledged efforts to make San Jose the safest big city in America once again, including doubling the rate of hiring police officers, addressing issues related to sideshows, utilizing new tools such as license plate readers, and implementing a zero-tolerance policy for drug-related activities. The city seeks to hold repeat offenders accountable while promoting mental health reforms to make the city safer and more humane.

Mayor Mahan discussed the ongoing homelessness crisis in San Jose, acknowledging the challenges and the need for a comprehensive solution. The city has taken action by providing safe, dignified interim placements for those living in encampments and increasing the construction of affordable housing.

The Mayor also encouraged community involvement and volunteerism. He emphasized the importance of keeping neighborhoods safe, preparing for emergencies, and supporting small businesses.

Watch Mayor Mahan’s full address here.

More State of the City Addresses

Las Vegas, Nevada

Mayor Shelley Berkley

Mayor Shelley Berkley delivered her State of the City Address, looking to the future and outlining how Las Vegas will continue to be a leading city that assists those in need, creates new opportunities, and provides safe and beautiful neighborhoods and amenities. She emphasized the city’s continued focus on helping vulnerable residents through expanded services, including the MORE Team pilot program, which connects individuals experiencing homelessness with mental health professionals, health workers, and street medicine, as well as the new Community Court that prioritizes structure, monitoring, and resources over punitive approaches.

Nashville, Tennessee

Mayor Freddie O’Connell

In his State of the Metro Address, Mayor Freddie O’Connell described his vision for a Nashville that is affordable, safe, healthy, welcoming, and prosperous, a city for everyone, and emphasized that progress will be purposeful, even when it is not always loud or linear. He outlined steps his administration will take to make Nashville more affordable, including proposals to cut the grocery tax, expand access to childcare, support small businesses, create jobs, build more housing, and invest in children from birth.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Mayor Indya Kincannon

In her seventh State of the City Address, Mayor Indya Kincannon proposed a lean budget that continues to prioritize public safety, affordable housing, parks, and high-quality people-focused services. She also emphasized the importance of being good stewards of taxpayer dollars, noting that her budget proposal covers essential services without raising taxes, even as the city navigates inflation, rising costs, and broader economic uncertainty.