Elizabeth Melson has announced her candidacy for the Senate race.
Melson filed a Statement of Organization with Virginia Department of Elections on April 25. She intends to compete as an Independent candidate in the District 28 senate race. The district includes Culpeper, Orange, Greene, Madison and Rappahannock counties as well as parts of Fauquier and Spotsylvania.
Melson is endorsed by the Virginia Hemp Coalition, scored 10/10 on the Virginia Good Governance Scorecard, and has signed the Big Money Out pledge and the Activate Virginia pledge to not accept donations from Dominion or Appalachian power companies.
Melson is a 42-year-old mom, wife, business owner, farmer, advocate for voters-first reforms, and formally justice-impacted citizen.
She has extensive experience in grassroots organizing and citizen advocacy for good governance reforms, regenerative agriculture and consumer sovereignty, solar energy, sentencing reform, rights restoration, and has advocated for meaningful programming in corrections systems.
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Melson has been elected or appointed to state-wide boards, including time on Virginia Farmers Market Association and Virginia Hemp Coalition boards. She was a co-founder and former president of FairVote Virginia. She serves on the Rappahannock County Board of Social Services.
Mostly known in the region as a regenerative farmer and farmers market manager, Melson also teaches trauma-informed yoga, mindfulness, and recovery / re-entry tips to residents at RSW Regional Jail.
“I believe it is really important that citizens in SD28 have an option on the ballot that puts people over partisanship. Just as competition in business is good, so is the free exchange of ideas in politics. I intend to bring empathy, objectivity, and responsive leadership to the district. I believe it is so very important to take into account multiple perspectives and viewpoints when considering potential solutions to the issues our communities face. The same style of cross-partisan coalition-building that I’ve used in my reform work, I’d love to bring as your representative to the General Assembly.”
Melson’s top priorities are:
Small business first. They are the heartbeat of our towns and villages in our district.
Good governance reforms. Term limits, campaign finance reform, ensuring fair and competitive elections through reforms like instant run-offs (aka ranked choice voting.)
Improve mental health access for all, and treatment focused alternatives to incarceration for non-violent drug offenders.
Conserve our natural resources and rural areas.
Fund schools and support parental choice.
Education:
BS Sociology, Concentration in Business Management from Northern Kentucky University
Certificate in Culinary Arts, New River Community & Technical CollegeCertificate in MBA Essentials, Shenandoah University200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher; Yoga, Social Justice, and Leadership
Learn More https://melsonforvirginia.com/