USC Alum runs for city council of Yorba Linda


USC alumna Tara Campbell, graduate of the class of 2015, is running for city council in her hometown of Yorba Linda, California.

Campbell graduated in Spring 2015 with a bachelors degree in political science and broadcast and digital journalism. As a student, she was involved with the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics and the Theta Xi chapter of Delta Delta Delta.

Campbell expressed the importance USC has played in her short, yet productive political career this far.

“The Trojan Family has been a key to my success. My professors and the Jesse M. Unruh Institute put me in touch with the Marian Bergeson Excellence in Public Service Series,” Campbell said. “The Trojan Family is what got me started.”

Following her graduation, Campbell has been pursuing a masters of public administration in the Price School of Public Policy, which she will receive this May. Aside from her graduate studies, Campbell has also been working full-time for State Assemblywoman for California’s 55th District Ling Ling Chang.

Campbell has already received endorsements from Chang, Assemblywoman Young Kim, former California Secretary of Education Marian Bergeson and Republican National Convention Committeewoman Linda Ackerman, among others.

To Campbell, the desire to utilize the education she has received to give back to her hometown is the driving reason behind her campaign for Yorba Linda City Council. According to her, the city is lacking in the face of an ever-digitalizing world.

“I was born and raised here, this is my home, I want to give back,” Campbell said. “Communication and tech is my key issue. [The City of Yorba Linda] needs to be more accessible and tech-savvy.”

As a graduate of both the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, she has learned the importance of technology and information in the world of governance.

“My background in broadcast and digital journalism along with my background in political science and public administration has given me a unique perspective for our city council,” Campbell said. “I know the importance and power of communication, and my background has provided me with the tools and capability to combine digital communication and civic engagement for Yorba Linda.”

For Campbell, community service and volunteering has been a passion for her since she was young, and she attributes this to the civic-minded spirit of Yorba Linda.

“[Yorba Linda is] a community that gives back,” Campbell said. “That is something that has been in my blood. Now I’m trying to give back at the civic level.”

Campbell noted initial concerns over her relatively young age, but mentioned the value that community members place on education, insight and hometown roots over age.

“I thought my age would play a factor, but I have met so much support,” Campbell said. “People who are really excited for our city. They are excited for a product of the city to represent the city.”