Melissa Chaudhry

Melissa Chaudhry graduated from Central Kitsap High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from The Evergreen State College in 2019. Her career experience includes working as an author and nonprofit consultant and in grant writing, fundraising, nonprofit management, and international grassroots development[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

For over three years, Melissa Chaudhry has faced relentless rape and death threats for caring for her fellow Americans and defending the Constitution. Biased, Islamophobic media stayed silent—never caring if she was raped or murdered. Now the same outlets spread lies about her.

If anyone can truly change this country for the better, it is Melissa Chaudhry.

A fearless pro se federal litigator, she single-handedly took on the weaponized federal government, Justice Department, U.S. Attorney General, and ICE—simultaneously—in four courts and won, when her husband was illegally abducted by ICE. She changed federal precedent and case law, benefiting everyone. No opponent comes close.

For years she authored weekly Global Geopolitical Human Security reports for top U.S. officials and Secret Clearance holders. None of her opponents could match this.

Melissa repairs homes, gardens, farms, and vehicles for free for the elderly and poor—profound community service her rivals have never done. She has taught sustainable farming, agriculture, and cooperative economics around the world.

She is the youngest, hardest-working, most intelligent, and capable candidate in the race.

Daughter of a U.S. Naval Commander and humanitarian physician, Melissa’s husband is a decorated disabled veteran. Her grandfather survived two years in Nazi concentration camps. Her mother’s lineage traces to the Mayflower and Daughters of the American Revolution.

It’s time to unite. Support the leader America needs.

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?

I'm the only candidate in this race who has taken on the federal government and won. When ICE illegally detained my husband, a disabled American veteran, for 124 days, I fought the Department of Justice, DHS, and ICE across four federal courts simultaneously, without a lawyer, and won. A federal judge called his detention "flat out wrong" and ordered his immediate release, setting precedent that now protects other families. I know what it takes to hold power accountable, because I've already done it.For over twenty years, I've built the solutions I'm campaigning on, hands-on. I helped secure $3.2 million in federal funding for an ecologically sustainable, affordable housing project in King County, worked in sustainable agriculture and food systems on multiple continents, and taught cooperative economics abroad. I've delivered mail for the Postal Service, supported mothers in addiction recovery, and helped abused women fight for custody when the legal system failed them. My platform is grounded in my entire life's work. Dignity, safety, and opportunity for all is the standard I've spent my adult life trying to meet.I don't take corporate PAC money, fossil fuel money, or defense-contractor money. Not one dollar. My campaign runs on grassroots support, because representatives should answer to the people who elected them, not the industries funding their opponents. I'm running on real ethics and oversight reform, accountability for corruption at every level of government, and a Congress that actually defends the Constitution instead of just invoking it. Care. Courage. The Constitution. Those pillars are the foundation of my work, they're how I've lived, and how I intend to serve in Congress.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm personally passionate about immigration justice and due process, because my family lived through ICE detention and fought it, without lawyers, and won. I'm equally devoted to building resilient local systems: affordable housing, sustainable agriculture, and cooperative economics, work I've done hands-on for over twenty years across multiple continents. And I care deeply about government accountability, real oversight, real ethics enforcement, and a Congress willing to check power rather than defer to it. These aren't separate issues to me. They're one fight: making sure ordinary people are protected, not sacrificed, by the systems meant to serve them.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, who both fought for justice and dignity for oppressed people without leaving anyone behind, even when their methods differed. Eleanor Roosevelt, who helped author the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (I had a laminated copy on my bedroom wall as a teenager, where other kids had celebrity posters), and who used real institutional power to expand who counts as fully human in the eyes of the law. And Miko Peled, son of an Israeli general, who chose moral truth over inherited loyalty and founded the Palestinian House of Freedom in DC. They remind me remind me that real courage means following your conscience even when it costs you comfort and approval. All four stood on the right side of history when it was unpopular, even dangerous, and all four changed, or are still changing, history for the better.

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

Dignity, safety, and opportunity for all, no exceptions, no asterisks. The Constitution is not a suggestion; it's the floor beneath which no person's rights should ever fall, regardless of who holds power. Government exists to secure people's rights, not to select targets. I believe in truth even when it's costly, and accountability even for the powerful. I don't compromise on fundamental principle, even when compromise would be easier.

Courage without cruelty. I've fought the federal government in court, alone, and won, but I've never needed to make an enemy of someone to do what's right. I'm persistent past the point most people would quit, honest even when the truth is inconvenient for me, and I lead with empathy, because I've needed other people's empathy myself, in some of the hardest years of my life.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To be a genuine, functioning check on executive power, not a rubber stamp and not a spectator. To answer to the people who elected me, not the industries or parties funding my opponents. To defend the Constitution in practice, not just in speeches. And to actually solve problems for this district, on housing, health care, immigration, and climate, rather than performing outrage about them. That's the job. It's time, and past time, for Congress to do it again.

What legacy would you like to leave?

An America that actually lives up to liberty and justice for all, a thriving, multiracial democracy on a living planet, where everyone genuinely belongs. If I can be some small part of helping make that real, I'll rest easy when my time comes.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Early in my adult life, I was trapped in an abusive marriage as an undocumented immigrant myself, with no bank account, no driver's license, no job, no healthcare, and a small child depending on me. Getting out took everything I had. That experience is why I don't see poverty, isolation, domestic violence, or lack of paperwork as someone else's problem to theorize about. I've lived the visceral fear of having no safety net, and I built my way back from it. It's part of why I fight as hard as I do for people who are still living some version of that same fear.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The House is the only federal body elected directly by the people every single cycle, on a two-year term, by design. That's not an accident. It's meant to be the branch most immediately accountable to public sentiment, not insulated from it like the Senate or the presidency. It holds the power of the purse and the sole power of impeachment. It's proportionally representative, sized to reflect actual population, not equal per state. That's what makes it the People's House, and why it's supposed to be the sharpest check on unchecked power, not the softest one.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Reclaiming and repairing our democracy, restoring it stronger, deeper, and more real than before, so an authoritarian takeover can never be attempted again, let alone succeed. That means confronting the surveillance-state tactics already embedded in our own government, and facing climate change's increasingly severe, increasingly irreversible effects, something I've been studying and preparing for since I was twelve years old. These aren't separate crises. They're the same fight, on different fronts.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Depends. Reasonable compromise on implementation details with well-meaning fellow legislators is one thing. Fair, sometimes useful, often necessary.

But compromising American sovereignty, the core structure of the Constitution, the interests of the American people, or the shared direction of dignity, safety, and opportunity for ALL? Never.

"Liberty and Justice for All" - with no asterisks attached - should be our true north star. In domestic policy, in foreign policy, in every decision we make. It will be, in every decision I make. That's a promise.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

My campaign is powered by "We the People" — thousands of everyday Americans who have flooded my videos with endorsements, many even calling for me to run for President.

I’ve earned formal support from the 33rd LD Democrats (sole endorsement), Veterans & Military Families Caucus of WA State Democrats, and strong majorities across multiple legislative districts. Past endorsements include The Stranger, National Women’s Political Caucus, Sunrise Movement, and leaders like Senator Yasmin Trudeau.

This movement belongs to the people.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

9/11. I remember the shock, the grief, the sense of national unity and desire for peace emerging from the people. I also remember the cognitive dissonance of being told by our own president to "go shopping" in the face of it, as though consumerism solved anything. And I remember Muslim and Sikh Americans getting attacked in the weeks after, for no reason at all, while the nation was still reeling. That contradiction, real trauma answered with genuine unity, hijacked energy, and misdirected hate, has shaped how I think about security, scapegoating, and what it means to be one country, ever since.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am running for Congress in WA’s most richly diverse district – still Represented by a career politician who does not reflect the majority of his constituents. My campaign is built on pillars of justice, sustainability, and community empowerment, addressing the urgent needs of our communities. I bring a unique blend of local involvement and global experience, and bring wide experience in innovative solutions and frontline challenges that gives me the ability to lead us into the future. I believe that America must lead by example, not force—using our influence abroad to advocate for peace, strengthen human rights, prioritize diplomacy, and de-emphasize military force, as America transitions from a position of global dominance to one of cooperative and responsible participation in the international community. My husband is an Honorable, disabled US Army veteran – with our baby daughter, we are a BIPOC family. Issues such as immigrant rights, housing, healthcare, and education, are personal to me. I believe that a term of service in Congress should never be used to further the aims of a foreign country or line the pockets of mega-corporations who profit from never ending wars. I’ve been an activist for peace since childhood and will meaningfully represent our shared American values of peace, equality, liberty, and justice for all. I am here to ask for your support, to help bring transformative change to our district and our country, and ensure that every voice is truly heard.

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?

Foreign Policy and Human Rights: I hold a principled stance against war crimes and violations of international law, especially regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. America has a duty to stand against oppression and use our influence to support the human rights of all people.Grassroots Engagement and Representation: My campaign is powered by grassroots support. I do not take money from defense contractors or AIPAC-aligned entities. I am not beholden to high-stake donors and so I’m capable of genuinely representing the people of CD9 in all our beautiful, rich diversity.Inclusivity and Social Justice: I am committed to social justice, inclusivity, and equal rights for all, drawing on my background as a female candidate from an immigrant Muslim family with a deep history of community service. My platform includes strong stances on immigration, veterans' affairs, and human rights, both domestically and internationally.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Immigration, and support for newcomers here. Peace and human rights. Environment and climate change. Alleviating poverty; economic growth from the bottom up. Green infrastructure. Vocational training and jobs. Civic infrastructure and cultural vibrancy. Demilitarization. Equality of all kinds. Education. Healthcare. Community policing; police accountability.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

"Cordelia's Honor" by Lois McMaster Bujold.

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

Integrity. Accountability. Courage. Intellectual honesty. Openness to criticism. Lived experience. Commitment. Empathy.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Strong principles, deep empathy, a history of inspiring loyalty, and the capacity to think in complex systems and play the long game.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A beautiful, thriving, and peaceful world for everyone's children.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was nine years old the day my father woke me up early for school, very agitated, and told me that a plane had hit the buildings in New York. I remember calling back to my mother in the kitchen to tell her that the second plane had hit. I remember the shock and confusion and fear at school that day - and I remember how brown students, and people who looked Muslim or spoke Arabic, started getting treated in the weeks and months afterward. I never thought it was fair.

I remember keeping a picture of my parents in my school desk a few years later, when my father, a Navy doctor, was deployed - first to Afghanistan, then to Iraq. I remember calling him in the evenings, and him helping me with my homework over the phone. I remember how different he was when he came home.

And I remember when Abu Ghraib came to light, and shattered my youthful naivete and faith in my country. Those photos blasted my heart open, and made it extremely clear to me that of course, people who were suffering foreign occupation and that kind of ill treatment would resist. Wouldn't you?

It has been a long journey through disillusionment and voyages of personal discovery, global learning, academic studies of history and possibility, and frontline service. Thanks to god (or the universe) and the love and support of many people, I've found my way into a mature patriotism, coupled with a responsibility and dedication to spend my life making this beautiful country better than I found it. That includes making sure that we never again treat people like we've treated Muslims since 9/11, and that we never again invade countries and destroy their infrastructure for Beltway profits, the way we did Iraq and Afghanistan.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"Cordelia's Honor" by Lois McMaster Bujold. Literary fiction.

Because it shows how - over the long arc of generations - one human being could remediate some of the worst of humanity, change the course of history, and shape an entire civilization, simply by doing the best she could in situations she didn't control, and while feeling herself to be nothing special. Since I was a teenager, Cordelia has been among my best role models. She shows what true nobility of spirit - which has nothing to do with arrogance - and an attitude of servant leadership, plus a healthy dose of hard work and good luck, can accomplish.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Cordelia Vorkosigan, from books in The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

There are pros and cons either way, depending on the circumstances. When fundamental change is needed and desired by constituents, then electing newcomers to politics is the better approach.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Transitioning from our eighty-year position of global dominance - often called 'leadership' - into a position of responsible, respectful, collaborative participation in a global community of self-determining nations, while making the world safer and healthier and freer and more prosperous for all people.

There are three necessary components of that process that will be true challenges:

1. reckoning with American history of racism at home and regime change and wars of aggression abroad, and working to arrive at healing and peace - around shared principles;

2. dealing with our national economic situation (our country's debt burden, etc.) without hyperinflation or collapse, and

3. demilitarizing and decarbonizing, and countering the extreme momentum of the military-industrial complex and oil industry.

All of them are possible, with clear vision, a systems-thinking mindset, a deeply compassionate and empathetic worldview, solid principles, both global and frontline experience, independence from undue influence, and a willingness to make hard decisions and play the long game.

I possess all those characteristics, and I'm offering them in service to CD9 and to America.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

My husband is a decorated, disabled US Military veteran who was permanently injured in service. He's also an immigrant who has been denied his rightfully earned citizenship for over 20 years.

His case is riddled with *proven* instances of racism, bias, corruption, and fraud on the part of the United States Government, in some instances resulting in criminal convictions against government representatives personally involved in his case. Some of the bias is systemic, well-documented by the ACLU (www.aclusocal.org/en/publication/muslims-need-not-apply), and embedded in USCIS. There are children who were born after he left the military who can vote in this election, and he's been fighting for his naturalization - that should have taken a few weeks - this whole time.

To me, this story encapsulates two sides of America. On the one, an honorable, hopeful, hard-working, and well-intentioned immigrant dedicated to the ideals of America - to liberty, equality, and justice, the principles we're all raised to hold dear. And on the other, a system embedded in the institutional structures of this country that is deeply invested in maintaining its illegitimate power and preserving its racism, protecting itself against all honesty, exposure, and accountability.

People like my husband - and there are tens if not hundreds of thousands like him - deserve recompense. They deserve recognition, and they deserve justice. The only way for a healthy society to operate is with one set of rules for all - when there are different rules, based on discriminatory criteria, society will gradually fracture and decay. That's not the future I want for our kids.

I believe in the ideals of America, and I believe that anyone who comes here to share in, partake of, and uphold those same ideals is as American as anyone else, deserving of equal rights, equal opportunities, equal responsibilities, and equal protection of the law.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is natural, necessary, and often healthy and valuable... up to a point. That point is where compromise would break a fundamental principle. At that point, compromise becomes toxic and deadly, because to compromise a core principle is to submit to injury or death to an essential characteristic, a component of soul. When it's about a fundamental principle, you can never compromise.

Campaign website

Chaudhry’s campaign website stated the following:

Issues

In Congress, I will work for a thriving future for our district - reducing war taxes, investing in our communities, and supporting the health and self-determination of all people, at home and abroad.

1. Progressive Policies for All: Melissa Chaudhry is leading the charge with progressive policies that prioritize affordable housing, equitable education, accessible healthcare, and a thriving economy. She’s determined to make sure everyone in the 9th District can afford a safe home, access quality education, and secure the healthcare they need.

2. Inclusive and Supportive: As someone with global experience and strong pro-immigrant, pro-family values, Melissa champions an inclusive society where everyone, regardless of race, religion, or background, is supported and respected. She understands the unique struggles of our diverse communities and will fight for a future that uplifts all.

3. Peace and Justice: Melissa is deeply committed to fundamental liberty and justice for all, advocating for a foreign policy centered on peace and diplomacy, and rejecting policies that lead to endless wars or erosion of human rights.

4. Defending Our Constitutional Rights: From freedom of speech to the right to assemble and worship, Melissa will protect the constitutional rights that form the backbone of our democracy, ensuring that all voices are heard and empowered.

5. Action for the Environment: Melissa recognizes that our district is disproportionately affected by environmental challenges, and she’s ready to take decisive action to address them. Her extensive experience will guide the implementation of pro-human, pro-economy environmental adaptation measures that protect our natural resources while creating new opportunities for good-paying jobs in sustainable industries.

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—Melissa Chaudhry’s campaign website (2024)[4]