Temecula Mayor Matt Rahn Announces Run For State Assembly

TEMECULA, CA — Temecula Mayor Matt Rahn has announced his intention to run for a seat in the California Legislature.

In announcing his candidacy Wednesday for the 71st Assembly District, the Republican said via rahnforassembly.com that it's time to "bring balance back to California."

Assembly District 71 encompasses Mission Viejo, Murrieta, Rancho Santa Margarita, Temecula, and Wildomar, as well as nearby rural parts of Orange and Riverside Counties.

"Too many in Sacramento have lost touch with the hardworking people of Southern California,” Rahn said. "High taxes, overregulation, eroding local control, and corruption have made government inefficient, business unaffordable, and sent thousands of Californians packing. We need to reignite the California dream that I believe in because I lived it, and I am prepared to work on Day 1 for Assembly District 71."

Rahn was first elected to the Temecula City Council in 2014. He is currently serving his second stint as mayor. He holds a Ph.D. and a law degree, and has more than 20 years of experience in higher education and university research, and as a wildfire, public health, land use, energy, and policy professional, according to his bio on the city's website.

Rahn's work in Temecula started in 2000, and in 2005 he began representing San Diego State University in alliance with the city of Temecula in the seven-year battle over the Liberty Quarry project. He's also been a leader on the I-15 Regional Task Force, which has helped bring about the French Valley Parkway project.

"Mayor Rahn has done a remarkable job of representing the residents of Temecula," said Assembly Member Marie Waldron (R-Escondido). "The I-15 Regional Task Force he helped create and lead played an important role in delivering over $100 million in infrastructure funds for our region. He passed balanced budgets, defended against tax increases, and stands for public safety. Mayor Rahn’s inclination is action. He will be a powerful addition to the Republican Caucus in the State Assembly. I am pleased to give Mayor Rahn, a conservative champion, my full support and endorsement."

In addition to Waldron's endorsement, Rahn has the support of Assembly Member Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta). Last month, Seyarto announced he will run for the state's newly redrawn 32nd Senate District instead of vying for 2022 reelection to his seat in the state Assembly. Seyarto serves the 67th Assembly District, which has been redrawn into the 71st District under redistricting.

"It is great to see someone with Matt Rahn’s experience step up to run for this Assembly seat,” Seyarto said. "With his years of service in government at the local level and his expertise in policy development dealing with the statewide fire issue, he is a great fit for a district that represents great cities in Orange and Riverside Counties that are heavily impacted by wildland fires. I am happy to support him and endorse his candidacy."

In addition to his work on City Council, Rahn currently represents Temecula in the League of California Cities, National League of Cities, and the Riverside County Transportation Commission.

"Matt Rahn believes that government should encourage growth, not restrain it," according to the rahnforassembly.com website. "He is conservative, supports funding our police, wants to reduce regulation on small business, and slash middle-class taxes."