Melvin Tull

Melvin Tull served in the U.S. Army from 1985 to 1987. He earned a bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech in 1991 and a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1997. His career experience includes working as an attorney.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Mel Tull is an attorney, business adviser, and Democratic candidate for Congress in Virginia's First District. He has spent his career helping businesses, entrepreneurs, and community leaders solve problems, navigate complex challenges, and build opportunities that create jobs and strengthen local communities. Tull is running for Congress because he believes too many families are being squeezed by rising costs while Washington remains focused on division instead of results. He is campaigning on a practical agenda centered on affordability, health care, economic opportunity, and accountable government. Tull brings a problem-solving approach shaped by his legal and business background and says he wants to be an independent, steady voice for working families, small businesses, and communities across the district.

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?

In Virginia's First District, too many families are working hard but struggling to keep up with rising costs for housing, healthcare, childcare, transportation, and everyday necessities.

Across the district, these pressures show up in different ways. In the Richmond suburbs, families face high housing and childcare costs. In the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, many communities also need better access to healthcare, broadband, and economic opportunity.

In Congress, I will focus on practical solutions: lowering costs, expanding housing opportunities, protecting rural hospitals like VCU Health Tappahannock, investing in infrastructure and broadband, strengthening workforce training, and helping small businesses crate good-paying jobs.Healthcare is personal for my family. My wife is a pediatrician, and we see how families struggle when care is too expensive, too far away, or too hard to navigate. I support building on the Affordable Care Act, protecting Medicare and Medicaid, lowering prescription drug costs, and making healthcare prices more transparent so patients are not surprised by bills they cannot afford. Access matters too, especially in rural communities where provider shortages and long drives make care harder to get. We should expand telehealth, strengthen community health centers, invest in the healthcare workforce, and keep rural hospitals open. Healthcare should be affordable, accessible, and dependable for every family.I want Virginians to know that I’m running to represent the people of the First District, not one faction of a political party. For 18 years, Republicans have held this seat, and if Democrats are serious about winning, we need a candidate who can compete everywhere and talk to everyone. My life as an Army veteran, attorney, small-business adviser, nonprofit leader, husband, and father has prepared me to solve problems and bring people together. I believe we can protect fundamental freedoms, defend Social Security and Medicare, expand affordable healthcare, and support working families while also focusing on affordability, accountability, public safety, border security, and opportunity. That is how we make this district competitive again.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m most passionate about policies that make everyday life more affordable and expand economic opportunity. I focus on lowering costs for families, supporting small businesses, and creating good jobs. I care deeply about improving access to quality, affordable healthcare and protecting Medicare and Medicaid. I’m committed to strengthening public schools, workforce training, and infrastructure to drive long-term growth. I also support responsible innovation—especially around AI, data privacy, and emerging technologies—so we protect consumers while encouraging growth. And I believe in protecting voting rights and pursuing practical, bipartisan solutions that work for diverse communities.