Melissa Claire Strange, a Democrat from Erlanger, is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District.

Strange faces Republican Ed Gallrein and Libertarian Jeremy Todd in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Residence: Erlanger, Kentucky, according to her campaign website
  • Hometown: Born and raised in Villa Hills, Kentucky, according to her campaign website
  • Family: Lives with her husband Andy and their sons, Sam and Josh, according to her campaign website
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in international business, Northern Kentucky University, 1998; MBA, Thomas More University, 2001
  • Schools attended: St. Joseph Crescent Springs, Villa Madonna Academy and Dixie Heights High School, according to her campaign website

Experience

Strange serves as director of supply chain strategy for NA Flavors at ADM, a role she has held since 2022, according to BallotReady profile data. She previously worked as associate director of demand planning at WILD Flavors International GmbH from 2011 to 2014, according to the same source.

Strange said on her campaign website that she has volunteered as an academic team coach in Kentucky's Governor's Cup program for more than a decade.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Strange's campaign website and BallotReady questionnaire responses and reflect her stated views.

Economy: Strange said she wants to advance policies that create good-paying jobs, support local businesses, stand with workers and restore economic stability and growth for Kentucky families. She described the current economic environment as one of rising costs and declining job opportunities that make it difficult for working people and small businesses to stay afloat.

Healthcare: Strange said personal medical decisions should remain between patients and their healthcare providers. She supports protecting reproductive rights at the federal level and expanding access to IVF, birth control and maternal and newborn care. She also said she has experienced the financial strain of navigating the healthcare system and wants to prioritize affordability and accessibility to reduce medical debt and lower insurance premiums.

Education: Strange said she supports Pre-K for All and wants to ensure educators and schools across Kentucky receive the resources they need. She pointed to her coaching experience with academic teams as shaping her views on education.

Government reform: Strange said she supports term limits, a ban on congressional stock trading, overturning the Citizens United Supreme Court decision that allowed corporate money in politics and stopping members of Congress from becoming lobbyists after leaving office. She also said she is committed to promoting unity, understanding and opportunity for all people regardless of background or identity and that the nation's strength lies in its diversity.

Endorsements

Strange has received one endorsement, according to BallotReady profile data:

  • AFL-CIO

Policy positions and biographical details attributed to the candidate are drawn from her campaign website and BallotReady questionnaire responses. The Florence-Union Journal did not interview the candidate for this profile.