OR-04 Democratic nominee?
$10.3K
MAY 20, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleSelf-employed (Dr. Melissa Bird, LLC)
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderFemale
LocationOregon
Show moreShow less
BackgroundSelf-employed (Dr. Melissa Bird, LLC)
EducationUniversity of Southern California — PhD, Social Work
Notable personal detailsMelissa Bird is a Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Oregon’s 4th Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle. She is self-employed (Dr. Melissa Bird, LLC) and has worked in advocacy and politics, including roles as an executive director at Planned Parenthood Action Council of Utah and as an adjunct professor at several universities. She holds a PhD in Social Work from the University of Southern California and an MSW from the University of Utah. She lives in Corvallis, Oregon with her husband and three children.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports ending regressive taxation, increasing funding for social programs (SNAP, WIC, CHIP), raising the minimum wage, and federal investments in housing and community-focused economic development; emphasizes putting community over corporate interests and opposing big-money influence.
Healthcare
Supports universal healthcare and frames healthcare as a right. Advocates expanding access to coverage and stronger public programs. Positions include prioritizing healthcare access for working families and rural communities.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
The candidate has expressed opposition to expansion of ICE facilities in the district and raised concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity locally. Her public remarks and interviews highlight attention to asylum/immigrant access and opposition to punitive enforcement actions in her constituency.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports abortion access and describes herself as pro-choice. Positions family and reproductive rights under a "Pro-Choice & Pro-Family" platform.
Climate & Energy
Supports proactive climate and environmental actions including regional climate response plans prioritizing wildfire recovery, water access, and frontline communities; stronger stewardship of forests, rivers, and public lands with tribal consultation; and expedited federal disaster recovery for rural and tribal areas. Also favors regulation of energy- and water-intensive facilities such as AI/data centers to prevent environmental harm.
News
Melissa Bird is in the news because she is a candidate in Oregon’s 4th Congressional District race ahead of the May 19 primary. The coverage is mainly a voter guide, so it does not report major new developments about her campaign beyond her being part of the contested U.S. House primary. The article focuses more on election logistics and other local races than on Bird herself.
Endorsements
Endorsers of Melissa Bird for OR-04 Democratic nominee?
Northwest Labor Press
Labor organization
Northwest Labor Press endorsed Melissa Bird in its union guide to Oregon’s May 2026 primary election.
Eugene Weekly
Public figure
Eugene Weekly endorsed Melissa Bird in its 2026 primary endorsements.
Track AIPAC
Public endorsement
Track AIPAC endorsed Melissa Bird for Congress in Oregon's 4th District.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls