Melissa May (California)
Melissa May (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 35th Congressional District. She lost in the primary on March 5, 2024.
Biography
Melissa May graduated from Chaffey High School in Ontario, California. She received her bachelor's degree from California State University, Chico, and her master's in education from National University. Her career experience includes working as a science teacher and English language immersion specialist in Alexandria City Public Schools. May founded the Art and Science Cultural Center and the local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, both in Ontario. In 2022, May was elected to the Mountain View School Board before moving out of the district. As of 2024, May served as a governor appointee to the board of directors for the 28th Agricultural District of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: California's 35th Congressional District election, 2024
California's 35th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 top-two primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 35
Incumbent Norma Torres defeated Mike Cargile in the general election for U.S. House California District 35 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Norma Torres (D) | 58.4 | 136,413 |
 | Mike Cargile (R)  | 41.6 | 97,142 | |
| Total votes: 233,555 | |||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 35
Incumbent Norma Torres and Mike Cargile defeated Melissa May and Vijal Suthar in the primary for U.S. House California District 35 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Norma Torres (D) | 48.2 | 39,051 |
| ✔ | | Mike Cargile (R) | 39.6 | 32,082 |
 | Melissa May (D) | 7.9 | 6,432 | |
 | Vijal Suthar (R) | 4.3 | 3,491 | |
| Total votes: 81,056 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for May in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Melissa May did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
May’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Issues Economic Development Policy To bring federal resources to the Inland Valley, we must first work to build relationships with federal agencies and officials. We must prioritize establishing a dialogue with the Departments of Commerce, Labor, and Transportation, as well as other relevant agencies. Through these relationships, we will advocate for funding and programs that support job creation in the region. One way that we will seek to bring federal resources to the Inland Valley is through grant programs. We will work to identify and apply for grants that support job training programs, small business development, and infrastructure projects. By securing federal grant funding, we will help support the growth of the local economy and create new job opportunities for Inland Valley residents. The Inland Valley can benefit from federal tax incentives and credits. Supporting policies that provide tax incentives for businesses that create jobs in the region is a high priority. Additionally, advocating for tax credits for companies that invest in infrastructure projects or research and development initiatives in the Inland Valley. As a Congresswoman, Melissa May will bring attention to the Inland Valley and its potential for economic growth working to highlight the region's strengths, including its diverse workforce, strategic location, and transportation infrastructure. By raising the profile of the Inland Valley, Melissa will attract investment and support from private sector companies and other entities. We will also support the creation of a centralized employment center spearheaded by organizations and entities currently working together today to make it a reality. This will enable entrepreneurs and small businesses, across the region, access to resources needed for launching their dreams and achieving success in today's economy. Unlocking the power of our district's potential with a host of collaborative resources and support: co-working spaces, mentorship programs, networking events, access to funding - to launch careers and ambitions, while forging connections that could transform any idea into reality! In conclusion, Melissa May believes that bringing federal resources to the Inland Valley is critical to supporting job growth and economic development in the region - working to build relationships with federal agencies and officials, applying for federal grants, supporting tax incentives and credits, and raising the profile of the Inland Valley to attract investment and support. Through these efforts, Melissa is committed to creating new economic opportunities and supporting the growth of the Inland Valley. Tackling the Homelessness Crisis Melissa believes that increasing funding for affordable housing initiatives is essential. This includes investing in the construction of new affordable housing units and providing incentives for developers to include affordable units in their projects. She also believes that the preservation of existing affordable housing must be prioritized and displacement of low-income residents from their homes prevented. Addressing the root causes of homelessness is another key component of Melissa's plan. She believes that poverty, mental health and addiction issues, and a lack of access to healthcare are major factors that contribute to homelessness. As a result, Melissa will work to expand access to healthcare, including mental health and addiction treatment services, and increase funding for job training programs and other initiatives that help people get back on their feet. Melissa believes that a compassionate approach to homelessness is essential. She intends to provide supportive services to those who are currently experiencing homelessness, including access to temporary shelter, food, and other necessities. She plans to partner with non-profit organizations and community groups to provide wraparound services that address the unique needs of each individual. Finally, Melissa is committed to ensuring that policies are guided by data and evidence-based practices. She plans to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives and make adjustments as needed. She also intends to collaborate with experts in the field to identify innovative solutions to this complex problem. In conclusion, Melissa recognizes that the homelessness crisis requires a comprehensive approach that includes increased funding for affordable housing, addressing the root causes of homelessness, providing supportive services to those in need, and using data and evidence-based practices to guide policies. She is committed to working tirelessly to address this crisis and ensure that everyone in communities has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. Using Federal Resources to Improve Education To bring federal resources to improve education in the Inland Empire, Melissa would prioritize building relationships with federal agencies and officials that oversee education programs. She would work to establish a dialogue with the Departments of Education and Labor, as well as other relevant agencies. Through these relationships, Melissa would advocate for funding and programs that support educational initiatives in the region. One way that Melissa would seek to bring federal resources to the Inland Empire is through grant programs. She would identify and apply for grants that support teacher training, after-school programs, STEM education, and other initiatives that improve academic outcomes for students. By securing federal grant funding, Melissa would help support the growth of the local education system and improve opportunities for Inland Empire students. Melissa also believes that the Inland Empire can benefit from federal tax incentives and credits. She would support policies that provide tax incentives for businesses that invest in education initiatives in the region. Additionally, she would advocate for tax credits for individuals who donate to educational organizations in the Inland Empire. Finally, Melissa would use her position as a Congresswoman to bring attention to the importance of education and the need for resources in the Inland Empire. She would work to raise awareness of the unique challenges facing the region and advocate for policies that support the growth and success of the local education system. In conclusion, Melissa is committed to bringing federal resources to improve education in the Inland Empire. She would work to build relationships with federal agencies, apply for federal grants, support tax incentives and credits, and raise awareness of the importance of education in the region. Through these efforts, Melissa is dedicated to improving academic outcomes for Inland Empire students and supporting the growth and success of the local education system.[2] |
” |
| —Melissa May’s campaign website (2024)[3] | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House California District 35 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Melissa May for Congress, "Meet Melissa," accessed February 8, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Melissa May for Congress, “Issues,” accessed February 8, 2024
