María Meléndez
Mayita Meléndez | |
|---|---|
| Shadow Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Puerto Rico | |
| In office 1 July 2021 – 17 July 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Pedro Rosselló (2019) |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Chair of the Puerto Rico Democratic Party | |
Acting | |
| In office 20 January 2017 – 7 February 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Roberto Prats |
| Succeeded by | Charlie Rodríguez |
| 135th Mayor of Ponce | |
| In office 12 January 2009 – 10 January 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Francisco Zayas Seijo |
| Succeeded by | Luis Irizarry Pabón |
| Personal details | |
| Born | María Eloisa Meléndez Altieri 26 December 1951 |
| Party | New Progressive Party |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Rafael Mateu Cintrón
(divorced) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras (BS) University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine (DMD) |
María Eloisa Meléndez Altieri (born 26 December 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.