Biography
Melissa Elder is an independent candidate for Oklahoma State Senate District 24 in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1][2] Ballotpedia lists her as a social worker, and in a survey she described herself as a licensed mental health therapist and former school social worker based in Moore.[1][3]
Melissa Elder earned a high school diploma from Tascosa High School, a bachelor's degree from Southern Nazarene University in 1999, and a graduate degree from the University of Oklahoma in 2016.[1]
In a 2026 Ballotpedia survey, Elder listed education, healthcare, and the economy and working families as her key messages.[3] She said she supports an Education Legacy Investment Bill that would raise teacher salaries by $10,000 annually, reduce class sizes, and protect teacher retirement funds through a constitutional amendment.[3] She also said she supports paid parental leave of at least eight weeks for new and adoptive parents.[3]
- 1.Melissa Elder - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.Melissa Elder - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey responses · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Oklahoma Senate District 24
Melissa Elder is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Oklahoma Senate District 24 as IND. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.