Melissa Melendez


Melissa Ann Melendez 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. Prior to being elected to the State Senate, she served in the California State Assembly and on the Lake Elsinore City Council.

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. 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.
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.

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

2018 California State Assembly

2016 California State Assembly

2014 California State Assembly

2012 California State Assembly