California’s 76th State Assembly district is one of 80 California State Assembly districts. It is currently represented by Democrat Tasha Boerner Horvath of Encinitas. The district encompasses coastal North County, stretching from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in the north to Encinitas in the south. The district is relatively affluent and military-centered. Tasha Boerner Horvath is being opposed by Melanie Burkholder.
Dr. Melanie Burkholder, candidate for California’s 76th Assembly District, is a decorated Secret Service agent, mental health counselor, and proud wife and mother. She is a proven leader and a distinguished member of the Carlsbad community. A Republican, Melanie will take the same fight to Sacramento special interests and ultra-liberal politicians that she took to our nation’s criminals while serving in the Secret Service.
Passionate about helping people in need, Melanie was drawn to a career in mental health counseling. She earned her Masters in Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research at the University of Memphis. Melanie then gained her accreditation to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and earned a PhD in Clinical Christian Counseling.
After working several years as a counselor, Melanie was recruited to the United States Secret Service where she served as a Special Agent. Her duties included protection assignments for the President, Vice-President, and many foreign dignitaries. She investigated cases of identity theft, fraud, money laundering, bank fraud and counterfeiting, leading to numerous convictions and a number of decorations.
Melanie chose to leave her life of public service after almost six years as a Special Agent to raise her two children. She now owns and operates a successful counseling practice in Carlsbad.
A champion for public safety, Melanie believes that parents have the both the right and the duty to get involved when their children’s wellbeing is at risk. Melanie first got involved in local government as a leader in the fight to ban the use of the toxic pesticides on school fields. Not only did she win this fight, she won without costing her community any additional tax dollars.
Melanie is active in our community, a dedicated volunteer at her church, a member of the Carlsbad Republican Women Federated, Cheerleading Coordinator at Friday Night Lights, the PTA at Magnolia Elementary and Valley, and the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary. She was previously Webelos Leader with Cub Pack 740 in Carlsbad.
In the Assembly, Melanie will be committed to putting our interests and needs first: fixing our roads to end the gridlock, making sure our coasts and green spaces are protected, making sure our classrooms have the resources they need, and standing up to out-of-touch Sacramento politicians that encourage illegal immigration and spend billions on their pet projects rather than our needs. For more information go to: https://melanieforassembly.com/about
Tasha Boerner-Horvath Candidate CA State Assembly 76th District, did not respond to our interview invitation.
