Melanie D’Arrigo is a community activist, mother of three, and healthcare advocate who believes we need leaders in Washington to stand up to the Trump agenda and fight for Long Island’s families—not become part of the same broken system.
Melanie was born into an impoverished family on the South Shore of Long Island, and raised by her grandmother in Lindenhurst. With grit and determination, Melanie beat the odds and was the first in her family to attend college—working numerous jobs while attending Barnard, and graduating with thousands in student loans.
Melanie earned her Masters of Science degree from the School of Health Professions at Long Island University, and has worked as a healthcare advocate and strategist ever since, teaching children, families and organizations how to live healthier lives prevent serious medical conditions, and save money.
As a mother of three, Melanie knows what it’s like to battle the American healthcare system and the workplace as a new mom. While pregnant, Melanie was passed over for a job after the employer saw she was expecting. And when her son Ryan was born and her husband was laid off, Melanie was put on a payment plan — owing the hospital thousands of dollars for having a baby.
Melanie has organized marches, rallies and protests in her community—on everything from supporting local Democrats to protecting Planned Parenthood. A tireless grassroots volunteer, Melanie served as campaign manager for Tony D’Urso in his successful race for Assembly District 17, volunteered hundreds of hours to flip the 7th State Senate district blue, and joined the board of the Port Washington Democratic Club.
After bringing her two young daughters to the Brett Kavanaugh protests in 2018, Melanie was moved to run for Congress because our community deserves leaders with the courage to stand up to Trump and fight for Long Island families.
Melanie is raising three children under the age of 10 with her husband Doug in Port Washington. As a member of Moms Demand Action, Melanie strongly supports universal background checks and common sense gun laws. And as a lifelong resident of a coastal community, Melanie supports a Green New Deal because she knows climate change is threatening our shoreline.
Melanie’s not a politician and she’s not taking corporate donations—because she knows if we want leaders who fight for the grassroots, they have to come from the grassroots