VOTE411 Voter Guide

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We are in a cost-of-living crisis. I will work in Congress to lower costs and expand economic opportunity. My three priorities are:

• Housing – To bring down the cost of housing, we need to build more houses at all levels of affordability. This includes working to lower the costs of raw materials, providing incentives to build new housing, and making it easier for first-time homebuyers to get a home loan.

• Access to Healthcare -- We can do better to drive down costs and improve health outcomes. In Congress, I will prioritize patient health and preventative care, lower prescription drug costs, protect and expand Medicare, restore insurance subsidies to reduce the cost of insurance premiums, and restore funding for health programs that serve vulnerable families. There are also cost savings to be had by requiring national standards of care and creating national data sharing, making costs and care more transparent and standard, to drive down costs. I will also fight to protect reproductive healthcare and restore reproductive freedom.

• Childcare -- I remember my struggles to afford childcare. The rising cost of childcare is putting tremendous pressure on families, sometimes costing as much as monthly rent or mortgage payments. I support expanding the Child Tax Credit, recruiting and training qualified childcare workers, and paying them more. I also support Paid and Family Medical Leave.

We are in a cost-of-living crisis. I’ll take my leadership and experience to Congress to lower costs and expand economic opportunity.

My parents were migrant farm workers. As a single mom, I worked to pay my way through college. I understand the economic challenges you face, because I faced them, too.

I’m the first Latina to serve as Mayor of Dublin, where I led it to a “Best Places to Live” designation, building housing at every level of affordability and advancing policies that reduced barriers to job growth.

I know how to bring down the costs to build new housing and prioritize growing small businesses to strengthen our local economy – my top priorities in Congress.

As Director of Healthcare Services for an Alameda County Supervisor, I work to expand access to affordable, quality healthcare. I’ll do the same in Congress.

I’ll use my experience and energy in Congress to focus on driving down the costs of housing, healthcare, and childcare, creating local jobs, and preventing cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

My leadership regionally has delivered new infrastructure and jobs. That’s why I have the endorsement of the majority of mayors, county supervisors, city councilmembers, and community leaders. They know I’ll be effective in Washington and that I’ll deliver on my promises to you.

In Congress, you will always come first for me and I will fight to ensure when you work hard, you can get ahead.

I’d be honored to have your vote. Melissahernandez2026.com

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To address the League of Women Voters' inquiry regarding my top three priorities, I offer the following platform summary, which focuses on sustainable growth, community stability, and future-oriented policy:

1. Fostering a Pro-Trade, Pro-Growth Economy My primary objective is to revitalize District 14’s economic landscape by implementing a sophisticated, pro-trade strategy. By expanding market access for our local technology and agricultural sectors, and simultaneously lowering barriers to essential raw materials and components, we can reduce production costs for local manufacturers. This approach not only lowers consumer prices for families but also creates a competitive environment that encourages local businesses to reinvest, expand, and generate high-quality jobs.

2. Ensuring Community Security and Stability True prosperity is impossible without a foundation of safety. I am committed to a two-pronged approach to community security: supporting robust intelligence-gathering capabilities and promoting common-sense vetting processes. My focus is on keeping our neighborhoods secure while protecting the essential logistics hubs that serve our region, ensuring that critical supply chains remain resilient and uninterrupted for all residents.

3. Advancing Educational Excellence for the Tech Economy As an educator who works with students across K-12 and a graduate with a degree in computer science, I recognize the critical need to align our educational outcomes with the demands of a modern workforce. I am advocating for higher academic standards and specialized vocational and technical training that directly prepare our youth for opportunities within the tech economy. By investing in these pathways today, we are effectively securing the economic future of our community.

My background is defined by a commitment to public service, grounded in the realities of our community and strengthened by a career dedicated to both education and technical problem-solving.

As a long-time Hayward resident and an active educator across Alameda and Marin counties, I have served students from all grade levels—including those in special education. This hands-on experience has provided me with a deep, practical understanding of the challenges our families face and the essential need for educational excellence that prepares our youth for a modern, tech-driven economy. Complementing this, my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Cal State East Bay allows me to approach governance with a focus on logical, data-driven solutions rather than political posturing.

My commitment to public discourse began early in my career as a writer for the Chabot College Spectator, where I learned the vital importance of listening to diverse community voices. I have carried that philosophy into my work as a public servant, specifically through my active involvement in local governance, such as drawing and advocating for district maps designed to minimize population deviations and ensure fair representation.

I am running for office because I believe it is time for leadership that prioritizes accountability and results. I do not believe in making excuses or allowing unnecessary delays that hinder progress. My approach is to hold leadership accountable and to always prioritize doing the right thing for the residents of District 14. I am prepared to bring this same work ethic—rooted in integrity, precision, and a refusal to settle for the status quo—to Congress.

My top priorities are lowering the cost of living, creating more economic opportunity within District 14, and restoring accountability in government through true independent representation.

The cost of living has become unsustainable for many families in District 14. Groceries, housing, utilities, insurance, and healthcare continue getting more expensive while many people feel like they are working harder just to stay in the same place. Washington keeps spending money it does not have while the national debt continues to grow, pushing the cost of today’s decisions onto future generations. At a minimum, taxpayers should be able to see that their money is improving life here at home through better infrastructure, safer communities, and reliable public services.

I also believe District 14 should benefit more directly from the economic strength and innovation surrounding it. We are next to some of the most successful business and technology centers in the world, yet many residents still struggle with long commutes, rising costs, and limited local opportunity. Strong local businesses create jobs, strengthen communities, and support schools, roads, hospitals, and public infrastructure. I support policies that encourage domestic manufacturing, investment, skilled trades, logistics, and business growth so more people can build stable careers closer to home.

Finally, I am running as an independent candidate because I believe the current political system increasingly rewards party loyalty and career protection over honest representation. That is why the five-month term in this special election matters. I am not running to build a political career or protect a reelection campaign. I can go to Washington, vote independently, speak plainly about the problems facing this country, and focus entirely on representing the people of District 14 rather than protecting party or donor interests, spending time fundraising, or worrying about a future political career.

I am qualified for this office because my professional background is rooted in the real economy, not politics. I have worked in finance, technology, and business strategy across both large public companies and smaller growth-stage businesses, with experience in corporate finance, operations, acquisitions, and long-term planning. My work has involved decisions affected by inflation, hiring costs, regulation, investment decisions, and economic uncertainty.

Earlier in my career, I worked in energy markets, where I saw firsthand how global events, government policy, and energy prices directly affect the cost of everyday life. When oil prices rise, transportation costs rise. When transportation costs rise, groceries and consumer goods become more expensive. I believe we should be able to have an honest conversation about how energy costs affect families while still protecting the environment.

I’ve also spent time studying how government spending, inflation, and broader economic policy affect what families can afford over time. These experiences taught me how decisions made in Washington and around the world eventually affect prices, jobs, and the cost of living at home.

My experience has given me exposure to both large corporations and smaller businesses operating under very different economic conditions. I have worked on decisions involving investment, expansion, acquisitions, hiring, and long-term growth strategy. I have seen how taxes, regulation, inflation, healthcare costs, and interest rates affect hiring, investment decisions, and the ability of businesses to compete and grow.

My background and professional experience have led me to believe deeply in the opportunities this country can create. I built my career in the private sector and believe economic opportunity, upward mobility, and financial stability should still be achievable for all Americans.