Melody Cartwright, 68, is challenging incumbent Del. Eric Phillips, R-Martinsville, for the 48th House District seat, which includes the city of Martinsville and parts of Henry and Pittsylvania counties.
Cartwright, a democrat, said she is seeking the post on Nov. 4 because she believes in “no election unopposed,” and that “it’s crucial to keep the Commonwealth of Virginia Blue in 2026.”
Her top three platforms are human rights, fully funding public education, and affordable housing and healthcare.
“Human rights is a pretty big area, and that includes civil rights, which I thought we already handled. We are going backwards under Governor Youngkin, he’s been wanting to take history out of school books,” Cartwright said.
She also supports rural healthcare expansion and the protection of women’s rights.
“Women’s rights, you are walking those back too. It’s not just about abortion, it’s about a lot of things like women’s health and birth control,” she said.
Cartwright said she plans to advocate for full funding of the Department of Education but noted that school funding is uncertain.
“We don’t know with education, because right now (President) Trump wants to take out the national education system and throw it to the states,” she said. “I will be a fighter to roll that back if it happens.”
She has spoken with Martinsville Schools Superintendent Dr. Zeb Talley Jr. about supporting local schools.
“I’m going to be talking to our people here in Martinsville,” she said.
Cartwright also wants to bring more jobs to the region and defend Medicaid.
“Right now, the House has approved to take out a lot of the Medicaid,” she said. She is hopeful the state will “turn blue” to help advance her agenda.
“I don’t have answers to everything. I am a fast learner, and when I get there, I will have a lot of allies,” she said. “According to all the stats, especially if Abigail Spanberger becomes governor, we will be a Blue state.”
Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears are currently vying for the gubernatorial seat.
Cartwright said she does not yet know how much her proposals may cost but does not expect them to result in a tax increase.
“We as democrats will have to figure it out,” she said.
She said candidates in red districts serve an important role: “One, make their opponents actually run a campaign and tell voters what their platform is. Two, make ’em spend money which would have ordinarily gone to other districts. Three, increase the point spread, if possible, and four, be the point guard to support all up-ballot Democratic candidates like” Spanberger.
Cartwright first ran in the 2024 special election. She is once again uncontested as the Democratic nominee.
“I am the only democrat that’s running,” she said. “No one will run against me. There will not be a primary for me for the House of Delegates.”
A retired state employee and longtime activist, Cartwright has advocated for Medicaid, education, housing, and workers’ rights. She has served as an election official and worked more than 25 years for the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
She is a member or advocate with several organizations, including the MHC NAACP, FAHI, MHC Warming Center, SPCA, YMCA, Piedmont Arts, National ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center, Virginia LGBTQ, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, and the National Organization for Women – Virginia Chapter. She has also served as secretary for the MHC Democratic Committee.
A Martinsville native, Cartwright is a graduate of Martinsville High School, Patrick Henry Community College, and Virginia Commonwealth University.
More information is available at www.MelodyforVA48.com.
