About Matt
My Background
Dr. Matt Rahn’s story began as one of two brothers of a single mother living in low-income housing. Watching his mother earn her nursing degree and lift his family out of poverty installed in him a powerful resolve and belief in the promise of America and the dream that we can all get ahead. He received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Nevada, a Ph.D. from UC Davis and San Diego State University, and a Law Degree from University of San Diego. He has spent over two decades as a professor, researcher, and advocate with a focus on public safety, wildfire risk, land use, law, and public policy. His experience spans the private, public, nonprofit, and academic sectors, including being a small business owner.
Dr. Rahn began his term on the Temecula City Council ten years ago, serving as Mayor in 2018 and 2022. Over that time, Matt has a strong record of success. He cut taxes for property owners, while increasing funding and resources for police and fire. He significantly improved public safety, opened a new fire station, increased staffing for the police department by over ten percent, and helped establish the homeless outreach taskforce which resulted in an 85% decrease in the homeless population and numerous success stories of families reunited, and people getting the help they need.
Matt also helped create the Old Town Metro Team which has been hard at work keeping Old Town safe and family friendly.
With Public Safety as his top priority, Temecula has been consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the U.S.
Matt also worked to improve government transparency and accountability, and created programs to help support local business during our toughest economic times. He also created the City's Legislative Department, making sure the City has a voice in Sacrament0 and Washington D.C.
As a champion for transportation, Matt worked tirelessly to secure over $120 million for Temecula’s freeways and roads to help alleviate traffic and improve your daily commute.
He helped create our new college and university campus in town with MSJC and
Cal State San Marcos, providing new opportunities for workforce development and local programs our young adults.
Always the advocate for our community, Matt also helped advance issues important to our veterans, including new community services, supportive housing, and grant funding for our local VFW.
He also helped write the City's Senior Master Plan, which helped create more housing options for our aging residents and provided new shuttle services for those needing transportation support. Matt continues his support of arts and music programs with the City and as a community member.
His work is not done... Temecula is at a crossroads; the decisions we make today will influence our future for generations to come.
Help elect Dr. Matt Rahn as our District 1 Council Member this November!
My top issues
If you elect me to represent you on the
Temecula City Council, I will continue to:
- Prioritize public safety, fully-fund police and fire services
- Ensure a balanced city budget and healthy reserve fund
- Support local businesses and attract new businesses with good-paying jobs
- Invest in our parks, road improvements, and traffic mitigation
- Ensure Temecula remains a safe city with a high quality of life
- Help solve housing issues, supporting a strong local workforce
My involvement
I have served our community not only as a Council Member, but also as a dedicated community member:
- Leading the Creation of the "Center of Excellence" for Firefighter Behavioral Health just north of Temecula
- Current Board Member, MSJC Foundation
- Served on the Board of Directors (now Advisory Member) for the Temecula Valley Symphony
- Founding Board Member for the Temecula Valley Conservatory of the Arts
- Member of the Temecula Rotary
- Member of the Chamber of Commerce
- Small Business Owner