Melissa Melendez

Melissa Ann Melendez (née Schneider; born February 17, 1968) is an American politician serving in the California State Senate. She is a Republican representing the 28th District, which encompasses large portions of Riverside County.[1] Prior to being elected to the State Senate, she served in the California State Assembly and on the Lake Elsinore City Council.[2]

Melissa Melendez
Member of the California State Senate
from the 28th district
Assumed office
May 18, 2020
Preceded byJeff Stone
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 67th district
In office
December 3, 2012 – May 18, 2020
Preceded byKevin Jeffries (redistricted)
Succeeded byVacant
Personal details
Born
Melissa Ann Schneider

(1968-02-17) February 17, 1968
Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Nico Melendez
Children5
Alma materChaminade University (BA) University of Phoenix (MBA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy

Early life

Melendez is a native of Youngstown, Ohio. Upon graduating from high school, she enlisted in the United States Navy. She attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, where she became a fluent Russian language speaker.

While serving in the Navy full-time, Melendez also attended college full-time in the evenings, and received her Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Studies from the Chaminade University of Honolulu in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Career

Melendez became one of the first women approved by the U.S. Navy to fly aboard EP-3 reconnaissance aircraft overseas, conducting reconnaissance and intelligence gathering operations in partnership with our allies.[3] She served as a Russian translator for ten years during the height of the Cold War, and flew covert missions during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.[3]

After the Navy, Melendez took an academic advisory position at Chaminade University for two years before deciding to establish her own business. She then formed a transcription company, contracting with the Chief of Naval Operations, and providing services to the Secretary of the Navy as well as other top-level Pentagon officials. Melendez attended University of Phoenix to earn her MBA in June 2008. In 2008, Melendez was elected to the Lake Elsinore City Council. She served as Mayor Pro Tem as well as Mayor during her four years in local government.

After incumbent State Senator Jeff Stone announced his resignation to work as a regional director at the U.S. Department of Labor, a special election was ordered to fill his vacant seat. After advancing in the March 3, 2020, special election, Melendez won the runoff election held on May 12 and was sworn into the Senate on May 18.[4][5][6]

Personal life

Melendez has five children with her husband Nicholas "Nico" Melendez. Nico is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served 10 years on active duty. He continues to serve as a Commander in an active naval reserve unit.

Elections

2020 California State Senate
California's 28th State Senate district special election, 2020
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Melissa Melendez 81,918 40.5
Democratic Elizabeth Romero 47,516 23.5
Democratic Joy Silver 42,222 20.9
Republican John Schwab 24,536 12.1
Democratic Anna Nevenic 5,912 2.9
Total votes 202,104 100.0
General election
Republican Melissa Melendez 105,525 55.4
Democratic Elizabeth Romero 84,902 44.6
Total votes 190,427 100.0

2018 California State Assembly
California's 67th State Assembly district election, 2018
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Melissa Melendez (incumbent) 54,089 67.1
Democratic Michelle Singleton 26,474 32.9
Total votes 80,563 100.0
General election
Republican Melissa Melendez (incumbent) 93,519 60.9
Democratic Michelle Singleton 60,015 39.1
Total votes 153,534 100.0
Republican hold

2016 California State Assembly
California's 67th State Assembly district election, 2016
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Melissa Melendez (incumbent) 51,987 63.5
Democratic Jorge Lopez 29,924 36.5
Total votes 81,911 100.0
General election
Republican Melissa Melendez (incumbent) 107,654 63.8
Democratic Jorge Lopez 60,996 36.2
Total votes 168,650 100.0
Republican hold

2014 California State Assembly
California's 67th State Assembly district election, 2014
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Melissa Melendez (incumbent) 32,268 99.8
Democratic Conrad Melton (write-in) 58 0.2
Total votes 32,326 100.0
General election
Republican Melissa Melendez (incumbent) 54,018 68.9
Democratic Conrad Melton 24,386 31.1
Total votes 78,404 100.0
Republican hold

2012 California State Assembly
California's 67th State Assembly district election, 2012
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Phil Paule 11,951 27.7
Republican Melissa Melendez 10,084 23.3
Republican Bob Magee 8,672 20.1
Republican Kenneth C. Dickson 8,216 19.0
Republican William T. Akana 4,291 9.9
Total votes 43,214 100.0
General election
Republican Melissa Melendez 67,232 52.3
Republican Phil Paule 61,230 47.7
Total votes 128,462 100.0
Republican hold

References
  1. "Members". California State Assembly. State of California. 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  2. "Melissa Melendez Biography". California State Assembly Republican Caucus. California State Assembly. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  3. "Melissa Melendez Bio".
  4. {{https://kesq.com/news/2019/11/15/special-election-dates-set-to-fill-sen-jeff-stones-seat/}}
  5. Press |, The Associated (2020-05-13). "Melissa Melendez wins California Senate seat in special election". The Mercury News. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  6. Metz, Sam. "California State Senate special election: GOP's Melissa Melendez leads Elizabeth Romero". Desert Sun. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
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