Melissa Melendez was elected to represent California’s 28th Senate District in May 2020

Melissa Melendez represented California’s 67th Assembly District from 2012 to May 2020.

She is a veteran of the United States Navy where she became fluent in Russian and one of the first women approved to fly aboard an EP-3 reconnaissance aircraft overseas. She served her country for ten years in the Navy, during the Cold War, Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After leaving the Navy, Melissa started her own small business providing transcription services to high-level Pentagon officials. She was elected to serve on the Lake Elsinore City Council in 2008 where she also served as Mayor. Melissa has her Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Studies and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She lives in Lake Elsinore with her husband Nico, also a Navy veteran, and their five children.