Melissa Melendez | |
|---|---|
 Melendez in 2021 | |
| Member of theCalifornia State Senate from the28th district | |
| In office May 18, 2020 – December 5, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Jeff Stone |
| Succeeded by | Lola Smallwood-Cuevas(redistricted) |
| Member of theCalifornia State Assembly from the67th district | |
| In office December 3, 2012 – May 18, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Silva(redistricted) |
| Succeeded by | Kelly Seyarto |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Melissa Ann Schneider (1968-02-17)February 17, 1968 (age 57) Youngstown, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Nico Melendez |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | Chaminade University (BA) University of Phoenix (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Battles/wars | Persian Gulf War |
Melissa Ann Melendez (néeSchneider; born February 17, 1968) is an Americanpolitician who served in theCalifornia State Senate. ARepublican, she represented the28th District from 2012 to 2022, which encompassed large portions ofRiverside County.[1] She previously served in theCalifornia State Assembly and on theLake ElsinoreCity Council.[2]
Melendez is a native ofYoungstown, Ohio. After high school, she enlisted in theUnited States Navy. She attended theDefense Language Institute inMonterey, California, where she learnedRussian.[3]
While serving in the Navy, Melendez also attended college in the evenings, and received her BA in History and Political Studies from theChaminade University of Honolulu inHonolulu, Hawaii.[citation needed]
Melendez was one of the first women to fly aboardEP-3 aircraft overseas.[citation needed] She was aRussian language translator for ten years, and was part of flight missions during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.[citation needed]
After the Navy, Melendez worked atChaminade University for two years before deciding to establish her own business.[citation needed] She then formed a transcription company, contracting with the Navy.[3] Melendez earned her MBA from theUniversity of Phoenix 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.[citation needed]
After incumbent State SenatorJeff Stone announced his resignation to work as a regional director at theU.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 over the Democratic nominee,Riverside CountySchool Board Trustee Elizabeth Romero and was sworn into the Senate on May 18.[4][5][6]
The day after the2020 United States presidential election, prior to a winner being declared, she claimed that Democrats were attempting tosteal the election.[7]
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
Members of theCalifornia State Senate | ||
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2025–26 Session
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