Michelle on the Issues
Meet Michelle
Michelle Maldonado, a daughter of Cape Verdean immigrants, comes from a proud legacy of educators, veterans, and trailblazers, including the first Black principal on Cape Cod and a Tuskegee Airmen instructor. Growing up in small towns across Massachusetts, Virginia, and Texas, she experienced food and housing insecurity, shaping her commitment to equity and public service. She became the first woman in her family to earn a law degree, attending Barnard College and the George Washington University School of Law, before building a career as a tech attorney, small business owner, and community leader. Michelle and her husband, Roberto, a U.S. Air Force veteran and public school teacher, have called Manassas home for over 20 years.
​​Michelle is known for her ability to lead through crisis, navigate complex challenges, and build bridges. She brings those same skills to the General Assembly, listening deeply, working across the aisle, and fighting for the dignity and well-being of all Virginians while delivering practical solutions that uplift our district.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​Michelle is the first woman and person of color to represent her district, serving one of Virginia's most diverse communities in House District 20. She is the founding Chair of the General Assembly's Technology & Innovation Caucus and a nationally recognized leader in AI policy.
