I’m Melissa Bird

I am a fighter, a mother, a small business owner, and a proud descendant of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes. I’m running for Congress in Oregon’s 4th District to dig up what’s broken and build something bold in its place.

My lived experience as a social worker, lay preacher, wife of a veteran, and survivor of a system that was never built for me, or most of us, fuels my campaign. I’ve been told to wait my turn, to settle for scraps, to lower my voice. I’m done with that. I’ve seen what happens when the government fails to meet people’s basic needs, and I’m ready to do something about it

As a nationally recognized speaker, policy strategist, and unapologetic advocate for working people, I bring both fire and fluency to the fight. I’ve battled for reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, and healthcare access, and I will fight for the rights of Indigenous communities.

I live in Corvallis with my husband, three kids, two dogs, and one three-legged cat. When I’m not working, you’ll find me sipping Earl Grey with heavy cream and reading novels, because joy is also resistance.