Tina McKinnor

Tina McKinnor came to the Assembly after years of work in legislative offices, campaigns, the California Democratic Party and civic engagement. She began her career as an accounting clerk and auditor at the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Her later roles included political treasurer, campaign strategist, Assembly chief of staff and party operations director. On June 7, 2022, she won a special election to succeed Autumn Burke. McKinnor defeated Lawndale Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles, a fellow Democrat, for the seat.

BACKGROUND AND FORMATION

Born September 30, 1964, McKinnor studied business administration and accounting at Los Angeles Southwest College, where she earned an associate’s degree. She later received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

McKinnor began her career with the Los Angeles County Office of Education, where she served as an accounting clerk and auditor. Her education included accounting, and her first jobs involved accounting and auditing.

McKinnor later served as political treasurer for the Kaufman Legal Group and as Operations Director for the California Democratic Party. Her career began with accounting and auditing and later included political treasury and party operations.

THE JOB BEFORE THE JOB

During the 2004 presidential election, McKinnor worked for John Kerry’s campaign as co-chair of African-Americans for Kerry. She was also a Kerry delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

In California politics, she worked on campaigns for state Senator Steven Bradford and Assemblywoman Autumn Burke. She also served as chief of staff to several members of the California State Assembly. In 2019, she was the California campaign strategist for PL+US, an organization that advocates for paid leave policies.

Prior to her election to the Assembly, McKinnor was a civic engagement director for L.A. Voice, a community advocacy organization. Her documented roles included political treasury, party operations, campaign work, civic engagement and leadership in Assembly offices. In 2022, she won a special election against a local mayor.

THE PATH TO OFFICE

The June 2022 special election was held to choose Autumn Burke’s successor in the Assembly. McKinnor had previously worked on Burke’s campaigns. Her opponent, Robert Pullen-Miles, was mayor of Lawndale. McKinnor won and entered the Legislature after having served as chief of staff to several Assembly members.

Before becoming an Assembly member, she worked in campaign organizations, legislative offices, party operations and civic engagement. Her election placed her in a Legislature where she had previously worked as a staff leader.

McKinnor’s documented experience before joining the Assembly includes campaigns, political treasury, party operations, civic engagement and service as an Assembly chief of staff. She now represents Assembly District 61.

THE POLICY SIGNATURE

McKinnor is a member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus. Her earlier record also includes work with L.A. Voice, African-Americans for Kerry and PL+US, as well as campaigns for Bradford and Burke.

The available particulars do not identify a specific bill, committee action or legislative vote associated with McKinnor. Her documented career includes work within Democratic campaigns, legislative offices and party organizations, followed by election to the Assembly and membership in the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.