The following bio is that of an event speaker or guest author. This person is not directly affiliated with the John Locke Foundation.

Jonathan Melton was elected as an at-large member of Raleigh City Council in 2019.

Council Member Melton serves as the chair of the Council’s Economic Development and Innovation Committee and is a member of the Council’s Transportation and Transit Committee.

Council Member Melton moved to Raleigh in 2004 to attend N.C. State University where he earned his undergraduate degree in political science. He then earned his law degree from N.C. Central University School of Law. He is a board certified specialist in family law and partner at the law firm of Gailor Hunt Davis Taylor & Gibbs, PLLC. He exclusively practices family law, helping individuals navigate difficult personal circumstances with a goal of finding compromise solutions.

Council Member Melton is a founding board member of Stonewall Sports, Inc., a national LGBTQ and allied philanthropic sports league. In Raleigh, Stonewall Sports has donated thousands of dollars to local nonprofit organizations.  Council Member Melton presently serves on the board of directors for TLC (formerly “The Tammy Lynn Center”) and volunteers his time offering pro bono legal services to families involved in domestic violence actions in Wake County District Court.

Jonathan is the first openly LGBTQ person elected citywide in Raleigh.