Councilwoman Jessica Alexander Named Next Mayor Of Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — Temecula City Councilwoman Jessica Alexander, the current Mayor Pro Tempore, was appointed the city's next mayor at the Tuesday council meeting. Councilmember Matt Rahn was appointed Mayor Pro Tempore.

Both will be installed in their positions at the first council session in January 2026 and will serve the city from Jan. 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2026.

As Mayor Pro Tem, Councilmember Matt Rahn would assume the Mayor's duties in the Mayor's absence.

Also at the city council meeting, Councilmember James "Stew" Stewart was voted in as president of the Temecula Community Services District for 2026 by Councilmember Zak Schwank, who was named vice president of the Temecula Community Services District for the same term.

Council Committee Board assignments are anticipated early in 2026.

During the meeting, Council member Stewart moved to appoint Alexander as the city's mayor. Council member Schwank seconded the motion that passed, 5-0.

Alexander expressed her thanks to the council.

"I thank the board and all of us for stepping up and acting like real professionals up here. I'm very grateful to the four of you, and looking forward to an incredible year, and I hope and pray that we continue to work together like this," she said.

Both the mayor and mayor pro tempore positions are ceremonial, according to the city. Unlike other cities, these positions are not directly into that role. Each year, the City Council selects them from among the sitting council members, and the nominations are discussed and voted on by their peers.

Both the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem typically serve one calendar year in those public-facing roles. They attend events and openings and also head city council meetings.

The roles of Temecula Community Services District President and Vice President are also nominated and voted upon by council members. In Tuesday's council session, Schwank nominated Stewart for president and himself for vice president. The motion was seconded, though Kalfus questioned the automatic assumption the two would return to the roles they've held for several years, saying "new eyes" may serve the district well.

Although Kalfus offered himself for the community district appointments and openly stated he was a "nay" vote for the pair, in hopes of furthering discussion, both Schwank and Stewart were voted into those roles, in a 3-1 vote, with one councilmember abstaining.

Stewart will serve as Community Services District President in 2026, the position he also held in 2022 and 2023. Stewart had the Vice President role in 2021 and 2025. Schwank has served as Community Services District President in 2021, 2024, and 2025. He has served as Vice President for the district in 2020, 2022, and now in 2026.

Both neighboring officials and residents lauded current Mayor Brenden Kalfus for his outward-facing work over the past year at Tuesday's meeting.

During public comments, Murrieta Mayor Cindy Warren thanked Kalfus for his service as Mayor, noting his work around the city and with neighboring Murrieta. Warren said, "You are a true public servant and should be commended.”

A member of the public addressed Mayor Kalfus and the council members during public comments.

“Thank you for your hard work and commitment in Temecula," Juan Larson said. "It’s more critical than ever to set an example of rational behavior. I believe each of you, as councilmembers, cares deeply and is genuinely interested in doing what is best for Temecula. Our school board could learn from your example. I sincerely thank you. Quoting the Dalai Lama, 'An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind.”