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Articles by

Mel Leonor Barclay

Politics Reporter (She/Her)

I’m Mel Leonor Barclay, a politics reporter at The 19th. My work is fueled by curiosity about the forces that drive everyday people to become politically engaged and shape their political beliefs. So far at The 19th, I’ve reported on how gender, race, ethnicity, economic reality, immigration story and experiences with gun violence have shaped candidates’ decisions to run for office and voters’ decisions at the ballot box.

I got my start in journalism covering government and elections in localities around South Florida for the Miami Herald and the Naples Daily News. I moved to Washington, D.C., to cover Donald Trump’s presidential transition for Politico in 2016 and went on to cover education and labor policy for the outlet. As Trump’s first term was coming to an end, I took a job at the Richmond Times-Dispatch covering Virginia state politics, a tumultuous time that included several political scandals and the COVID-19 pandemic.

I’m an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, a forever Floridian and proud graduate of Florida International University. I live in Richmond, Virginia, with my husband and daughter. When I’m not reporting or feeding pricey blueberries to my insatiable toddler, you can find me covered in mud at the pottery studio.

My work is free to consume and free to republish because of contributions from readers like you. A donation of $19 goes a long way toward sustaining our nonprofit newsroom.

Contact [email protected]

Latest from Mel Leonor Barclay

Explicit videos rocked her run for office. But this Virginia Democrat isn’t done with politics.

Susanna Gibson, who fell short in her bid for the Virginia House, wants to advocate for digital privacy and consent to protect other women running for office.

Mel Leonor Barclay · January 2, 2024
Can this Miami Latina prove that Florida isn’t out of reach for Democrats?

Former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is challenging Republican Sen. Rick Scott in 2024 and hoping to stem Republicans’ inroads with Latinx voters in the Sunshine State.

Mel Leonor Barclay · December 19, 2023
Emerge America wanted to train more Democratic women for office. Growth came with a cost.

The organization has faced a split with the staff of one chapter and tensions with others, leaving leadership posts vacant ahead of a big election year.

Mel Leonor Barclay, Grace Panetta · December 12, 2023
There’s a new push to elect an Afro Latina to Congress

Latino Victory is launching a new initiative focused on strengthening the pipeline of Democratic Afro-Latinas running for office.

Mel Leonor Barclay · November 16, 2023
Abortion rights keep winning, and Democrats see a lesson for 2024

Election results in Ohio, Virginia and Kentucky show the issue’s continued potency and give a boost to efforts to pass ballot measures in red and purple states next year.

Grace Panetta, Mel Leonor Barclay · November 8, 2023
Virginia Republicans embraced a 15-week abortion ban — and then lost

Tuesday’s election results in Virginia are a rebuke to what anti-abortion advocates and Republican politicians hoped was a limit that a broad swath of voters could get behind.

Mel Leonor Barclay, Shefali Luthra · November 8, 2023
Virginians hand Democrats control of the legislature, blocking GOP efforts on abortion and trans rights

The results are a rebuke for Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who had promised to work for a 15-week abortion ban if his party won.

Mel Leonor Barclay · November 7, 2023
What Virginia’s elections could mean for LGBTQ+ people

Virginia is the only state in the South that has more protections for than discriminatory policies against LGBTQ+ people.

Orion Rummler, Mel Leonor Barclay · November 6, 2023
Virginia voters care about abortion access. Will that drive their votes?

Republicans in the state are embracing a ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Both parties think that stance helps them.

Mel Leonor Barclay · October 27, 2023
Women donors are underrepresented in fundraising for state elections. The impacts are wide-ranging.

A new report highlights the gender gap in political giving for state elections, contributing to the challenges women face to reach political office.

Mel Leonor Barclay · October 17, 2023

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Articles by

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