From Dinner Table Politics to Running for Congress: Dr. Melissa Bird

Politics isn’t only for campaign trails or congressional floors — for some, it begins at the dinner table.

In this episode of the DaliTalks Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Melissa Bird, who is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Oregon’s 4th Congressional District in 2026.

Melissa grew up surrounded by conversations about politics and community leadership, and that early exposure shaped her lifelong passion for advocacy. Today, she’s using that passion to make a difference in Oregon and beyond.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Dinner Table Politics: How Melissa’s early family conversations about politics built her foundation for leadership.
• Supporting LGBTQ Youth: The critical work she’s doing to advocate for homeless LGBTQ youth and the unique challenges they face.
• Lobbying Explained: What lobbying actually is, why it matters, and how everyday people can influence change.
• Community Impact: Ho...