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Long lines at the DMV, trouble getting unemployment, insurance policy cancelled...... the list goes on and on. There are countless problems people face on a day to day basis which the government has the power to help resolve.
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Assemblymembers Tasha Boerner and Christopher M. Ward as we take a closer look at the inner workings of the California State government in Sacramento. Learn about the various committees the Assemblymembers serve on, their policy priorities, and how they fight for San Diegans every day in our state Capitol.
Assemblymember Tasha Boerner was first elected to the California State Assembly in November of 2018 and re-elected for her third term in November of 2022. She represents the 77th District, encompassing Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and the coastal communities of La Jolla south to Coronado.
Tasha was selected by Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon to chair the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee for the 2023-2024 session. She serves on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the following policy committees: Higher Education, Military and Veterans Affairs, Emergency Management, and Public Employment and Retirement. In addition, she chairs the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise & the California Economy.
Before serving in the State Assembly, Tasha served as a local City Councilmember, businesswoman, and former PTA leader. A fourth-generation San Diego County resident, she served as a member of the city’s Planning Commission prior to her election to the Encinitas City Council in 2016.
Professionally, Tasha has worked for global Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and higher-education institutions. In response to her daughter’s struggle with a sensory processing disorder, Tasha started a business designing sensory-friendly clothing for little girls.
Tasha earned an M.A. in International Studies from Claremont Graduate University Institute of Politics and Policy. She received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Tasha is the proud Mom of two children.
Assemblymember Chris Ward was first elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2022 to serve the 78th Assembly District representing San Diego and El Cajon. He currently serves as Chair of the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee, as well as the Select Committee on Biotechnology. He is also currently serving as the Assembly designee on the California State Coastal Conservancy and Vice Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus.
Assemblymember Ward focuses his legislative efforts on housing, homelessness, climate, state budget and water supply issues, while balancing other key priorities concerning constituents. Since he was first elected, Assemblymember Ward has secured efforts to establish the state's first community solar program, ensure transparency around government use of automated decision-making systems, make rental application fees cheaper, prohibit discrimination in mixed-income housing developments, reduce access to ghost guns, and increase the substance use disorder counselor workforce.
He was previously elevated to Speaker pro Tempore and Assistant Majority Leader in the Assembly. He received a 2024 “California Legislative Champion” award from SEIU, a 2023 “Distinguished Legislator" award from the League of California Cities, a 2022 “Labor Superhero” award from the California Labor Federation, and received the "2022 Community Solar Champion" award from the Coalition for Community Solar Access.
Prior to his election to the Assembly, Assemblymember Ward served on the San Diego City Council and authored San Diego's landmark Equal Pay Ordinance. He chaired the San Diego County Regional Task Force on the Homeless and served as chair of the Land Use and Housing Committee. Before being elected to office, Assemblymember Ward was the Chief of Staff to Senator Marty Block and an environmental planner at the firm EDAW.
As a longtime volunteer for his community, Assemblymember Ward served on the San Diego Community College District's Citizens Oversight Committee, a board member of the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation and San Diego LGBT Center, as well as a member of the Truman National Security Project.
Assemblymember Ward earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Johns Hopkins University and a Master's in Public Policy and Urban Planning at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He and his partner, Thom, reside in University Heights with their two young children.