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Melody A. "Mel" Cartwright holds a degree in general studies and humanities from Patrick & Henry Community College and a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Mel previously worked as a freelance graphic designer, a senior graphic designer for the Virginia Museum of Natural History, and as a production manager at a retail chain, Miller and Rhodes. 

Melody Cartwright - Ballotpedia

Mel previously ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in District 48 in 2023 but did not win. 

Believes in advocating for the working class in Richmond, saying, "Do you feel like you struggle to stay afloat? You need an advocate in Richmond who will do more than cut taxes for the wealthy and powerful."

Believes in advocating for the working class in Richmond, saying the plans to "do more than cut taxes for the wealthy and powerful."

Supports creating quality affordable housing and increasing access to homeownership for those priced out by rising costs.

Believes legislation is needed to update landowners' and tenants' rights in Virginia.

Supports replacing "Right to Work" legislation with open union laws and plans to increase the minimum wage in 2026.

Supports replacing "Right to Work" legislation with open union laws. 

- Believes in advocating for the working class in Richmond, saying the plans to "do more than cut taxes for the wealthy and powerful."
- Supports creating quality affordable housing and increasing access to homeownership for those priced out by rising costs.
- Believes legislation is needed to update landowners' and tenants' rights in Virginia.
- Supports replacing "Right to Work" legislation with open union laws. 
- Plans raise minimum wage in Virginia.

Economy

As of September 17, 2025, Melody A. "Mel" Cartwright’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Supports gun education and safety legislation.

Supports automatic restoration of rights and expungement for rehabilitated felons.

- Supports gun education and safety legislation.
- Supports gun ownership.
- Supports automatic restoration of rights and expungement for rehabilitated felons.

Public Safety

Supports fully funding and staffing public schools, particularly in rural areas with outdated facilities and inadequate teacher salaries.

- Supports fully funding and staffing public schools, particularly in rural areas with outdated facilities and inadequate teacher salaries.

Education

Supports fighting for healthcare access and affordability.

Plans to fight for healthcare access and affordability.

Believes no one should interfere with personal medical decisions and supports doctor-patient privacy without government involvement.

Opposes government interfere with personal medical decisions and supports doctor-patient privacy. 

- Plans to fight for healthcare access and affordability.
- Opposes government interfere with personal medical decisions and supports doctor-patient privacy. 

Healthcare

Said, "Melody will NOT accept any lobby money from the massive utility companies and has signed a pledge to not do so. Her campaign is grassroots, only accepting money from voters, not lobbyists. She is seeking real, impactful policies that don't get caught up in partisan politics."

Pledges to decline any funds from lobbyists, saying she is "seeking real, impactful policies that don't get caught up in partisan politics."

- Pledges to decline any funds from lobbyists, saying she is "seeking real, impactful policies that don't get caught up in partisan politics."

Voting & Elections

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Melody A. "Mel" Cartwright

Melody previously ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in 2024 and 2023 but did not win. 

As of September 17, 2025, Melody A. "Mel" Cartwright did not have a website or any information online.

- The Virginia General Assembly, made up of the House of Delegates and the State Senate, is responsible for creating state laws.  
- Your state delegate serves your local district in the Virginia House of Delegates, advocating for your community's needs and interests.  
- Delegates have the power to write, sponsor, and vote on proposed legislation, including all bills related to the state budget, which begin in the House of Delegates.  
- The House of Delegates consists of 100 members, each elected to represent one district.  
- Delegates serve two-year terms and receive an annual salary of $17,640.