María Meléndez
Mayita Meléndez | |
|---|---|
| Shadow Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Puerto Rico | |
| In office July 1, 2021 – July 17, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Pedro Rosselló |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Chair of the Puerto Rico Democratic Party | |
Acting | |
| In office January 20, 2017 – February 7, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Roberto Prats |
| Succeeded by | Charlie Rodríguez |
| 135th Mayor of Ponce | |
| In office January 12, 2009 – January 10, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Francisco Zayas Seijo |
| Succeeded by | Luis Irizarry Pabón |
| Personal details | |
| Born | María Eloisa Meléndez Altieri December 26, 1951 Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| Political party | New Progressive Party (PNP) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic |
| Spouse | Rafael Mateu Cintrón (divorced) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras (BS) University of Puerto Rico, San Juan (DMD) |
María Eloisa Meléndez Altieri (born December 26, 1951) also known as Mayita, is a Puerto Rican politician who served as the mayor of the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, from 2009 to 2021. Meléndez Altieri was elected during the Puerto Rican general elections of 2008, becoming the first woman elected to the office in Ponce's political history. She was also the first mayor of a party other than the Popular Democratic Party in Ponce since 1989, when Rafael Cordero Santiago became mayor. This is Mayita's second candidacy in politics on the island and her first electoral win. In the Puerto Rico's 2004 general election, Mayita presented her candidacy for a senatorial seat representing Puerto Rico's 5th district, but lost in her bid for the position. Meléndez Altieri lost her bid for reelection in the 2020 general elections to Luis Irizarry Pabon from the Popular Democratic Party.