Melody earned her bachelor's degree in literature and pre-medical studies from Wellesley College, and then attended the University of Massachusetts' Medical School. Melody is married. She previously volunteered by canvassing for Democratic candidates, and is a community ambassador for the Missoula Rural Fire District.

Melody has been a practicing pediatrician for the past 30 years, specializing in caring for children with cancer and end-of-life. She also taught high school chemistry and physics before going to medical school.

Ballotpedia: Melody Cunningham

Melody Cunningham's campaign for state representative is her first entry into politics.

Wants to increase the availability of affordable housing.

- Wants to increase the availability of affordable housing.
- Intends to lower property taxes.

Economy

Supports a transition to renewable, clean energy sources.

Has a degree in climate change and health.

Supports the practice of rewarding funds to businesses that engage in sustainable and energy efficient practices.

- Supports a transition to renewable, clean energy sources.
- Has a degree in climate change and health.
- Supports the practice of rewarding funds to businesses that engage in sustainable and energy efficient practices.

Energy & the Environment

Believes that healthcare is a fundamental right, and advocates for privacy from the government between patient and doctor.

Wants to ensure that senior citizens have access to quality healthcare, and that the state funds provider rates for residential care facilities.

Advocates for mental healthcare access for veterans.

- Believes that healthcare is a fundamental right, and advocates for privacy from the government between patient and doctor.
- Supports abortion rights and access.
- Said, "Trans-care is healthcare."
- Wants to ensure that senior citizens have access to quality healthcare, and that the state funds provider rates for residential care facilities.
- Advocates for mental healthcare access for veterans.

Healthcare

As of June 15, 2025, Melody Cunningham’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Voting & Elections

Advocates for securing and strengthening public education.

Opposes the usage of taxpayer dollars for funding private charter schools.

Plans to secure equitable pay and benefits for public educators and union members.

- Advocates for securing and strengthening public education.
- Opposes the usage of taxpayer dollars for funding private charter schools.
- Plans to secure equitable pay and benefits for public educators and union members.

Education

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Melody Cunningham

Montana Free Press: LISA VERLANIC FOWLER

Lisa has a master's degree in education. She is the president of her local union, has served on the negotiations committee and was the chair of their Child Assistance Team.

Lisa Fowler's campaign for State Representative for District 97 is her first entry into politics. 

Supports legislation that would require all Montanans to pay "their fair share of taxes" and hold state government accountable for how tax dollars are spent.

- Supports legislation that would require all Montanans to pay "their fair share of taxes" and hold state government accountable for how tax dollars are spent.
- Supports lowered property taxes.

As of June 15, 2025, Lisa Verlanic Fowler did not have a website or any information online.

Believes health care should be accessible to all, regardless of financial status, and supports measures like ride share vouchers to clinics, incentives to healthcare providers for working in rural areas (especially reservations), and lower medication costs.

- Believes health care should be accessible to all, regardless of financial status, and supports measures like ride share vouchers to clinics, incentives to healthcare providers for working in rural areas (especially reservations), and lower medication costs.

Supports allocating more funding for increase in salaries for law enforcement officers, fire fighters and for veteran support programs.

- Supports allocating more funding for increase in salaries for law enforcement officers, fire fighters and for veteran support programs.

Supports increased funding for public schools by the state, reducing property-tax sourced funding.

Opposes additional state funds for charter and private schools.

Supports considering a state wide salary schedule for educators to attract quality applicants.

Supports a state policy of reimbursing the cost of a grant writer for each school.

- Supports increased funding for public schools by the state, reducing property-tax sourced funding.
- Opposes additional state funds for charter and private schools.
- Supports considering a state wide salary schedule for educators to attract quality applicants.
- Supports a state policy of reimbursing the cost of a grant writer for each school.

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Lisa Verlanic Fowler

- Your State Representative participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 100 members of the Montana House of Representatives. The Montana House of Representatives is the lower house of the Montana State Legislature (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Representative drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Representative can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Representative is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Representatives are elected to a 2-year term. Individuals can serve no more than 8 years in a 16-year period.