Ballotpedia: Melody Cunningham

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.

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 April 10, 2024, 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

Ballotpedia

Melody earned her bachelor’s degree in literature and pre-medical studies from Wellesley College and has a Doctor of Medicine from University of Massachusetts Medical School. 

Melody has been a practicing pediatrician for 30 years caring for children with cancer and children at end-of-life. She has also taught high school chemistry and physics. 

Melody Cunningham's bid for State representative for District 97 is her first entry into politics. 

Montana Free Press: Melody Cunningham

Supports property tax relief and affordable housing availability.

Supports mental health care,  suicide prevention, and property tax relief resources for veterans.

Supports lowering the residential tax rate.

- Supports property tax relief and affordable housing availability.
- Supports mental health care,  suicide prevention, and property tax relief resources for veterans.
- Supports lowering the residential tax rate.

Supports clean, sustainable energy technologies.

- Supports clean, sustainable energy technologies.

Believes that healthcare is a fundamental right.

Supports availability of trans healthcare, believing "the government should not interfere with private medical decisions."

Supports funding for provider rates for residential care facilities and local aging councils.

- Believes that healthcare is a fundamental right.
- Opposed the Born Alive Initiative.
- Supports abortion.
- Supports availability of trans healthcare, believing "the government should not interfere with private medical decisions."
- Supports funding for provider rates for residential care facilities and local aging councils.

Supports increased pay for teacher recruitment and retention.

- Supports increased pay for teacher recruitment and retention.

- 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.