Melanie Ross Levin

Melanie Ross Levin was born in Red Bank, New Jersey. She earned a high school diploma from Red Bank High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware in 2003, and a graduate degree from the University of Delaware in 2005. Her career experience includes working in Title IX advocacy.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have spent her career working on behalf of low-income women and children. For the past 7 years I. have served as the Director of the state's Women's Office. As the Director, I have contributed significantly to groundbreaking wins across Delaware, including the passage of Paid Family and Medical Leave, the best paid parental leave benefit for state workers in the country; increasing the minimum wage; the first ban on child marriage in the United States; the Equal Rights Amendment; expanding Medicaid coverage to pregnant women and protecting pregnant workers. I previously served as the Director of Engagement and Mobilization at the National Women's Law Center. In this capacity I led advocacy campaigns to protect Social Security, advance pay equity, protect Title IX athletics and expand early childhood education. Earlier in my career I worked for Senator Carper, Planned Parenthood of Delaware and as a Fellow in the Delaware General Assembly.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Delaware faces significant challenges in healthcare access, including a lack of affordable, high-quality care, a shortage of doctors, and rising healthcare costs that strain family budgets. To address these issues, I propose expanding Medicaid and state-funded healthcare programs to cover more people, reducing the number of uninsured individuals and making healthcare more affordable for low- and middle-income families. Additionally, we need to incentivize medical professionals to practice in underserved areas through loan forgiveness, competitive salaries, and improved working conditions. Implementing cost-control measures like price transparency and promoting preventative care is also essential.As a product of public schools, I understand the crucial role they play in building a strong future for Delawareans. As a State Representative, I will prioritize improving teacher recruitment and retention by offering competitive salaries, professional development opportunities, and a supportive working environment to attract and keep talented educators. Enhancing student supports is another critical area. Increasing the number of paraprofessionals, school counselors, social workers, and mental health professionals will provide students with the emotional and psychological support they need. Addressing nonacademic factors like mental health and food insecurity is vital for creating a conducive learning environment.Growing up, my parents owned a bagel shop and did private catering. I witnessed firsthand the challenges small businesses face in navigating state bureaucracy to stay afloat and compete. These early experiences have given me a deep understanding of the struggles small business owners endure. As a State Representative, I will be a dedicated advocate for small businesses, working tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard. My goal is to collaborate closely with state agencies to streamline processes and cut through the red tape that often hinders their success. By reducing bureaucratic obstacles, we can create a more supportive environment for small businesses, enabling them to thrive and contribute to our local economy.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Throughout my career, I have been steadfast in my commitment to reproductive rights, working diligently at organizations such as Planned Parenthood of Delaware, the National Women’s Law Center, and the Delaware Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy. These experiences have solidified my belief in the importance of safeguarding the confidential and private relationship between patients and their physicians. As a State Representative, I will persist in this fight, advocating tirelessly for comprehensive coverage of all reproductive healthcare needs, including abortion, IVF, and birth control.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An effective elected official must embody accessibility, transparency, and accountability. I believe that being accessible means not just being available, but also actively engaging with constituents, listening to their concerns, and making it easy for them to connect with me. Transparency is essential in building trust—decisions should be made in the open, with clear communication about the reasoning behind them.

Showing up regularly, whether at community events, meetings, or even one-on-one conversations, demonstrates a commitment to the people I represent. It's not just about being present; it's about being involved and informed.

Good follow-through is another critical principle. When promises are made or issues are raised, it's crucial to see them through to completion. This means doing my homework—delving into the details, consulting with those closest to the issues, and conducting thorough research before making decisions. It's not enough to simply take action; I must take informed, thoughtful action that reflects the needs and desires of the community.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Growing up, my parents owned a bagel shop and did private catering. So my first job was helping them with catering jobs or helping out at the bagel shop. This "job" lasted for many decades - until my parents sold the shop. Throughout high school and college I would get put to work if my parents has a particularly big catering job. By being involved in my parent's business I witnessed firsthand the challenges small businesses face in navigating state bureaucracy to stay afloat and compete. These early experiences have given me a deep understanding of the struggles small business owners endure.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Organizational Support as of 8/9/2024: DSEA (Delaware State Education Association), Delaware Stonewall PAC (Delaware's Voice for the LGBT Community), Moms Demand Action - Gun Sense Candidate and DelDems Pride Caucus

For a full list of organizational endorsements, go here:

https://www.melaniefordelaware.com/endorsements

Individual Support as of 8/9/2024: House Speaker Valerie Longhurst, Rep. Deborah Heffernan, Rep. Kim Williams, Rep. Rep. Paul Baumbach, Sen. Nicole Poore, Sen. Laura Sturgeon, Sen. Stephanie Hansen

For a full list of individual endorsements, go here:

https://www.melaniefordelaware.com/endorsements

What committees interest you?

Education, Health and Human Development, Labor, Appropriations

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability are the bedrock of a healthy democracy. In Delaware, too much remains hidden from public view, and this lack of openness undermines trust and prevents citizens from holding their government accountable. It’s crucial that we shine a light on all aspects of government operations, ensuring that decisions, expenditures, and processes are accessible and understandable to the public.

Transparency is not just a buzzword; it's a commitment to keeping the trust of the community. By being fiscally transparent, we can demonstrate that taxpayer dollars are being used wisely and efficiently. This transparency is essential for fostering trust and ensuring that every dollar spent serves the public good.

Accountability goes hand in hand with transparency. When information is made available, it allows for informed oversight and encourages responsible governance. It's vital that all government actions can be scrutinized by the public, ensuring that officials are held to the highest standards. In doing so, we can strengthen our democracy and create a government that truly serves the people.