In 1999, Melissa Sklarz broke new ground as the first transgender person to hold an elected office when she was elected as a judicial delegate in the 66th Assembly District. In 2004 Sklarz made history again, this time as New York state’s first transgender elected delegate to the DNC. Now, she is poised to break another barrier by becoming the first transgender person elected to the New York State Assembly. Sklarz is running in the Democratic Primary for the District 30 Assembly seat, an area where she has lived and been politically active for more than a decade.
Melissa currently serves as Secretary for the Northern Regular Democratic Club and is a member of the Powhatan Democratic Club, which honored her in 2013 her work on civil rights. She previously served as president of the Stonewall Democrats of New York City. Melissa is also a member of the U.S. Electoral College, serving as a delegate during the 2016 Democratic National Convention (DNC) and in 2008, as a member of DNC Rules Committee.
Melissa stated on her facebook page: “After the 2016 election, I realized that now, more than ever, my years of experience in Albany and NYC advocating for equality will be put to good use representing the voters in my district. With our transportation network in crisis, the Trump budget assault on New Yorkers, and women still lacking proper representation in all sectors, I will make sure all voices are heard in Albany.”
You may also remember Sklarz from her appearance in the 2015 film, Transamerica, starring Felicity Huffman.
Find out more at www.melissa2018.com.