Melony Armstrong
Melony Armstrong was a candidate in the 2011 special election for District 6 of the Mississippi State Senate. Since party affiliation was not listed on the special election ballot, Armstrong ran as an unaffiliated candidate. The special election took place on January 11, 2011. She ran to the fill the seat vacated by Patrick Nunnelee (R) who was elected to the U.S. House in the November 2, 2010, general election.
Biography
Armstrong is the owner of Melony Armstrong Braids in Tupelo, Mississippi. Along with the Institute for Justice, a public interest law firm, she worked to overhaul government licensure requirements for braiding salons. Her fight has been featured in a recent Institute for Justice case study.
Armstrong earned a degree in psychology from Oral Roberts University. She and her husband, Kevin, pastor Kingdom Seekers Church in Tupelo, MS. They have four children.
Campaign themes
2010
Armstrong's campaign site (dead link) focused on her successful effort to deregulate hair braiding businesses:
- "On April 19, 2005, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour signed legislation enabling hairbraiders to practice their occupation without over regulated government involvement. Her influence is felt beyond the Tupelo area. Since then, more than 300 women have registered hair braiding businesses across Mississippi. Melony Armstrong transformed an industry and helped create at least 300 jobs across the state, and several first time business owners. Individuals like Melony offer a key part of the answer to the questions: 'How can our state recover from the nations current economic downturn? How can we create long-term, sustainable growth?' That power lies where it always has in individuals like Melony who are driven to benefit society..."
Armstrong's site also listed four key policy goals:
- Reduction in size of government
- Promoting traditional family values
- Standing against all types of racism
- Fighting for the unborn
Elections
2011
Armstrong was defeated by Nancy Adams Collins in the January 11, 2011 special election to Mississippi State Senate District 6.[1]
External links
- Campaign Site
- Official Campaign Facebook Page
- NEMS360, "Senate race gets two last-minute qualifiers," December 11, 2010
- Melony Armstrong, Institute for Justice profile
Footnotes
