This month, Walnut Creek City Councilmember Matt Francois announced he will not be running for re-election. He has served the city of Walnut Creek since 2018.
During the June 16 meeting, he stated the following:
“After a lot of thoughtful considering, I’ve decided not to run for re-election this year. I can honestly say its been one of the true honors of my life to represent my fellow residents as a councilmember. I respect immensely the trust that these residents placed in me and I worked hard to try to never take that for granted. I’d like to thank staff, starting with our city manager and city attorney, but everyone in this room and everyone who works in this building for everything they do to make this city run so smoothly. I saw it first hand in countless ways over the last eight years on council and 11-years on the planning commission before that. I want to thank my council colleagues for making this experience a truly enjoyable one and for making me a more thoughtful, informed and better person as a result.
We accomplished a lot together over these last eight years. Chief among them is the passage of Measure O that will continue, living beyond me, beyond some of us, but continue to enhance our high quality of life.
I am not going anywhere anytime soon. I will be here and be committed to serving the remainder of my council term this year so its not goodbye yet and in November there will be an election to select my replacement and I vow to do everything in my power to assist that person in making the transition a very smooth one and pledge him or her my full support.
In the meantime, to my colleagues, lets keep being good stewards of this city, leading it with humility, grace and serving as good models of leadership and civic engagement. Thank you.”
Mayor Kevin Wilk responded by thanking Francois calling it a pleasure to get to know him but vowed to keep him busy until the end of the year.
“It has and will continue to be a pleasure working with you on this,” said Wilk.
According to his bio on the city website:
Matt Francois was first elected to the City Council in November 2018, and re-elected in 2022. He also served as Mayor in 2022. He is currently serving as Mayor Pro Tem. He is a 25 year resident of Walnut Creek, married to a teacher, father of two adult children, a community volunteer, and a land use attorney. He served on the Planning Commission from 2007 to 2018, and on the Transportation Commission from 2006 to 2007.
He graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and received his law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 1995.
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Community involvement
- Walnut Creek City Council, 2018 to Present
- Council Liaison, Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, 2022 to 2024
- Council Liaison, Diablo Regional Arts Association, 2018 to 2020
- Council Liaison, League of California Cities, East Bay Division, 2023 – 2024
- Council Liaison, Rossmoor, 2020 to 2021
- Council Liaison, Walnut Creek Downtown, 2024 – present
- Council Liaison, Walnut Creek Sister Cities International, 2021 to 2022
- Director, Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority (Recycle Smart), 2018 to Present (Chair, 2021 to 2022)
- Member, City Attorney Committee, 2021 to 2022
- Member, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Task Force, 2021 to 2023
- Member, Finance Committee, 2021 to 2022
- Member, Housing & Community Development Committee, 2018 to 2020, 2023 – Present
- Member, Legislative Committee, 2021 to 2022
- Member, Public Education Committee, 2018 to Present
- Member, Public Safety Committee, 2022 to 2023
- Walnut Creek Planning Commission, 2007 to 2018 (Chair, 2010 and 2015)
- Walnut Creek Transportation Commission, 2006-2007
- Boys Team Charity, 2017 to 2022
- Cub Scouts, Pack 302, Den Leader, 2010 to 2012
- Dewing Park Swim Team, 2007 to 2019
- Friends of the Creek, Creek Clean-Up, 2018 to Present
- Mt. Diablo Education Foundation, 2020 to Present
- Pied Piper Cooperative Pre-School, 2003 to 2009
- St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 2006 to Present (Lector 2011 to 2014)
- Walnut Creek Citizens Institute, 2007
- Walnut Creek Community Service Day, 2018 to Present
- Walnut Creek Education Foundation, 2006 to Present
- Walnut Creek Library Foundation, Board of Directors, 2009 to 2010
- Walnut Creek Little League, 2012 to 2014
- Walnut Creek Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Exchange Program, 2013 to 2014
- Walnut Creek Soccer Club, 2007-2017 (Assistant Coach, 2010)
- Walnut Creek Track Club, 2023 – Present
- Yes! for Walnut Creek, 2009
Work experience
- Land Use Attorney, Rutan & Tucker, 2014 to Present
- Land Use Attorney, Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, 2010 to 2014
- Land Use Attorney, Cassidy, Shimko, Dawson & Kawakami, 1999 to 2009
- Assistant General Counsel, California Resources Agency, 1998 to 1999
- Associate Consultant, Assembly Local Government Committee, 1996 to 1997
