It’s decided: A conservative Republican will represent a new solidly red Assembly district that stretches from southeast Orange County across the Santa Ana mountains to southwest Riverside County.
What’s not yet clear is which Republican — or from which side of the mountains — that will be, with Temecula Mayor Matt Rahn facing off against Trabuco Canyon activist and self-proclaimed “Mama Bear” Kate Sanchez.
The primary contest for AD-71, where voter registration data shows the GOP with a 10-point advantage over Democrats, is the only race touching Orange County that’s limited to a Republican-on-Republican fight. Because the top two vote getters in the primary will go on to the general election, both Rahn and Sanchez will “win” on June 7. But how each performs in the primary will offer a good indication of who might come out on top during the winner-takes-all election in November.
Rahn has a few advantages. As mayor of the largest city in the district, he has some local name recognition, which helped him land endorsements from area GOP Reps. Ken Calvert and Darrell Issa and from local conservative Assembly members. Also, slightly more (56%) of the district’s 300,000-plus voters live in Riverside County than live in Orange County.
While Sanchez has never run for office before, she previously worked for both Issa and former Rep. Ed Royce. She recently landed an endorsement from the California Hispanic Republican Club. And she’s been active with local grassroots conservative groups, with work centered around efforts to reduce taxes and eliminate “unnecessary and often contradictory regulations on employers, employees, families and nonprofit groups.”
“My years of taxpayer advocacy have focused on making government responsive and transparent,” Sanchez, 33, said.
In terms of political ideology, on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being far right, Sanchez ranked herself as an eight. And many of her views on key issues fall along party lines. She opposes single-payer healthcare, for example, and believes government policies to address climate change should be eliminated completely. She’s “pro-life,” but she didn’t respond to a question about her views on gay marriage.
About the 71st Assembly District
Voter registration: 40.6% Republican, 30.2% Democrat, 21.9% independent
Voter demographics: 74.2% White, 17.4% Latino, 7.1% Asian American and 1.3% Black
Asked about her plans for tackling homelessness, Sanchez said the focus should be on redirecting funds already allocated for factors contributing to the issue.
“California has tens of billions resourced to treat mental health, provide housing, and other very needed services for people in need,” she said.
Sanchez cited her work on Transparent California, a project of the California Public Policy Center and the Nevada Policy Research institute that offers a free searchable database of public employee compensation. That includes those working for divisions such as the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, which has been working to raise salaries to attract and retain staff.
“At Transparent California we worked hard to show where this money went,” Sanchez said. “It must go to the people in need and not unneeded bureaucracy.”
In terms of measuring her success as an officeholder, Sanchez said that would rest on answers to four questions.
“No. 1: Are residents safer? No. 2: Are residents more prosperous at all levels? No. 3: Do the state and associated agencies operate more transparently? No. 4: Are social mobility and the opportunity to succeed more available to all residents?”
Rahn declined to answer any Southern California News Group questions about his background, views on key issues or his plans if elected.
On his campaign website, Rahn, who has a law degree, cites his experience growing up “the child of a single mother in low-income housing” as informing his work today.
He was elected to the Temecula City Council in 2014 and is serving his second appointed term as mayor. He touts his work to increase funding for police, homeless outreach and transportation projects; to address fire safety; to add new senior housing; and to balance Temecula’s budget. He’s also drawn headlines for introducing a symbolic resolution calling socialism a “serious threat to our republic” and for supporting a city panel on race and equity.
Related links
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Temecula Mayor Matt Rahn running for Assembly seat that includes east Orange County
Republican Kathryn Sanchez launches bid for 71st Assembly District
In terms of his Assembly platform, Rahn’s campaign materials say he “supports funding our police, wants to reduce regulation on small business, and slash middle-class taxes.” He also discusses border security and parent choice in schools.
This is Rahn’s first campaign for higher office, though he previously explored bids for a state Senate seat and congressional seat.
Elections officials will begin mailing ballots to all registered voters May 9. Centers will open for in-person voting starting May 28.