Get to Know Carinda

Carinda Horton is a business woman, veteran of a foreign war, former talk-show host, and community leader who is running for State Representative in Minnesota’s House District 7A.

Born in Minnesota, Carinda is the eldest of two children. Her mother was the vocal opposite of her military father; which made for interesting dinner topics and gave her the ability to see both sides.

Carinda’s youth and understanding of the world was shaped by her experiences living in Washington D.C., Belgium, Alaska, Kansas, and Indiana. She also traveled extensively to over a dozen other countries.

She returned to Minnesota during her adolescence and attended Ordean Middle School in Duluth. Horton went on to East High School and the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Horton joined the Minnesota National Guard 109th LEM Company at the age of 18. During her twelve years she was deployed to a combat zone during Operation Desert Storm. While in Saudi Arabia she was a heavy equipment operator and also provided security and support functions. She was one of six Minnesota National Guard members selected to represent the state in the Washington D.C. Victory Parade.

For the past ten years Carinda and her husband, Chuck, have owned and successfully operated Horton’s Gym in Duluth. In addition to overseeing their stable of professional boxers, some of Carinda’s other responsibilities include public relations, accounting, production management, and working directly with state commissions and regulatory agencies.

Current Volunteer Boards:

• Minnesota Humanities Center Board of Governors (Gubernatorial appointment)
  • Including External Relations Committee

• St. Louis Historical Society Board of Directors
  • Including Audit and Finance Committee

• Minnesota Excellence in Public Service Board of Governors

Professional Organizations and Community Activities:

• Republican Party HD 7A Chairwoman
• State Central Delegate
• 8th Precinct Chair
• Duluth Republican Women’s Club
• VFW and American Legion Member
• 2007-2008 Public Relations Chair Junior League of Duluth
• Congdon Park Soccer Association: coach, assistant coach, team manager
• Production Assistant for a variety of films and documentaries
• Mentored and directed over 700 area children in theatre productions and workshops