Mayor Kalfus: Embracing Temecula, One Step at a Time

Under the soft glow of orange and blue lighting at Fresh Scoop Studio in Temecula, Brenden Kalfus, the city’s newly elected mayor, sat in a comfy chair, seemingly ready for his interview.

 The studio’s calm atmosphere, punctuated by perfectly positioned microphones and the gentle hum of conversation, set the stage for an unguarded dialogue. Brenden, dressed in a crisp button-up and tie, maintained a straight, disciplined posture that relaxed ever so slightly as he settled in. His baby blue eyes sparkled with an intense, genuine smile, a reflection of a man deeply connected to his roots in Temecula. He let out a soft sigh before he began.

“I’m Brenden Kalfus, your newest Temecula mayor, born and raised in Temecula,” he introduced himself confidently, his voice steady yet warm. “I’ve been here since 1991. I went to Hillcrest Academy Elementary School, which is no longer a school here in Temecula, then to Vail Ranch Middle School and Temecula Valley High School. I’m homegrown Temecula, and now I’m lucky enough to raise my five kids here with my wife. I’m excited to be your mayor, excited to get to know everyone in the city and tell you a little about myself.”

Brenden paused with a polished smile. But if you looked closely enough, you could see that beyond the polished exterior, every word was saturated with genuine pride.

As the conversation unfolded in a spontaneous, unscripted manner (where neither question nor answer was pre-planned) Brenden’s natural charisma emerged. His fingers moved with a subtle rhythm as he enunciated each word, and his eyebrows rose when emphasizing points of importance. Even as he adopted the measured tone expected of a public official, there was an unmistakable spark of the familiar, approachable man from Temecula shining through.

When asked why he ran for mayor, Brenden’s expression grew reflective, and his voice took on a thoughtful cadence. “I ask myself that all the time,” he admitted. “I’ve never been someone who’s super political. I’ve always been very opinionated. I’m a full-time firefighter, and with five kids, life is already incredibly busy. But during COVID, my eyes really opened up to local control and how much our elected officials affect our everyday lives. I started looking into who was on our school board, who was on our city council, and I felt that those people didn’t really reflect the current age demographic of Temecula. I wanted someone approachable and relatable in that seat. So I put my hat in the ring.”

The humility in his voice was balanced by an unwavering determination. “When I found out I won, I felt amazing,” Brenden recalled. “I beat an individual who had been in office for over 17 years. I gave it 100% effort—if I did lose, at least I’d know I did it my way, using my failures as propellers upward. But in the end, coming out on top was a great feeling.”

In truth, being elected to Mayor at just 33 is a remarkable feat; but it made us wonder, how was he as a child? Brenden chuckled lightly at the question before responding, “I’d say I was the class clown. I was always good in school—always had a strong GPA, on the Dean’s List, all that stuff—but I was definitely the funny kid. I always made people laugh.” Though he confessed that he still retained that humor, he added with a slight furrow in his brow and a flat tone, “In this position, I have to reel myself in.”

Yet, when asked when he gets to just be himself, Brenden admitted that the constant recognition challenges that freedom. 

“Everywhere I go, someone recognizes me,” he said. “Even at the supermarket or when I fill up my gas tank. It’s hard to just be myself. But I still go out with my wife, on dates, and with friends. This position has been a huge learning curve. I’ve grown so much in just a little over two years—listening to people I normally wouldn’t have a chance to sit with and really opening myself up to new perspectives. It’s helped me grow as a man, a husband, and a father.”

One of the most profound shifts he described was the development of empathy. “The biggest shift has been empathy,” he explained. “As a firefighter, we help people in immediate crises, we don’t always see the long-term outcome. Now, as mayor, I can see the impact of our decisions over time. Fixing a pothole, trimming overgrown trees, issuing a proclamation that brings a smile to someone’s face, you see the long-term effects. It’s all about helping people on a bigger scale.”

It was clear that Brenden has experienced a series of life changes after taking on the position of Mayor and it begged the question: What is your biggest challenge now?

His tone grew earnest. “Creating time for my family is the biggest challenge,” he confessed. “I’m a full-time firefighter, my wife is a full-time teacher, and with five kids in sports, the chaos is real. I make it a priority to block off time for date nights and one-on-one time with each child. Family comes first. Without them, everything else is meaningless.”

There was a slight twinkle in his eye as Brenden spoke about his family. Putting them first while also caring for an entire city is undoubtedly challenging, but he managed to find the middle ground and his smile said as much. 

The conversation then turned to the future. “Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?” we asked. Brenden paused thoughtfully before replying, “That’s a hard question,” he admitted with a side smile, indicating that he needed a moment to answer. His eyes shifted to the side as if looking into the future for the answer. 

He looked back to the front and flicked his fingers upward as he explained. “I set goals and write them down, but when you start fixing one problem, you see more problems, each bigger than the last—county, state, federal. Right now, I’m focusing on fixing what needs to be fixed in Temecula. I’m focusing on my role as mayor, my career as a firefighter, and being a father and a husband. I take it one day at a time.” He let out a small breath at the end of the statement as if to settle the answer within his own heart.

“I love Temecula,” he said, his voice deep and sincere. “I was born and raised here. Even though I left for a few years, this is home—not just for me, but for my five kids. Every decision I make is with the future generation in mind. I want Temecula to be the best place for you, now and for years to come.”

“I want people to know I’m extremely approachable,” he continued. “I’m a firefighter with a full-time job and a family; not a career politician.” 

In that softly lit studio, amidst the gentle interplay of orange and blue hues, Brenden Kalfus revealed not just his political persona but the man at his core: a dedicated public servant, a loving family man, and a true son of Temecula. His story, punctuated by moments of genuine humor, quiet resolve, and an ever-present empathy, resonated deeply—a promise that the future of Temecula is in caring, capable hands.

You can reach out to Brenden on Instagram and Facebook (search: Brenden Kalfus). For issues or information relating to the city of Temecula, you can email him at [email protected]. 

Be sure to watch his full interview on YouTube: Brenden Kalfus | Embracing Temecula, One Step at a Time