Al Melvin, former State Senator RIP, Visionary

VIA SBINSIDER| August 11th, 2023

SaddleBrooke resident Al Melvin who represented SaddleBrooke in the former LD-11 from 2009-2015 has passed away. Melvin made a run for Governor in 2014, dropping out early in the contest and also ran for Arizona Corporate Commission in 2016, losing in the Republican primary. His surviving spouse Kou is an avid golfer.

Former Senator Vince Leach commented Melvin’s passing “Senator Melvin got me started in state politics soon after we moved to AZ.  He helped me immensely in my decision to run for political office. He was always a straight shooter and was always there to help out anyone that was in need. Thanks Senator for your service to the state of Arizona. ” 

According to the website BALLOTPEDIA:

Melvin earned his B.S. from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1969, his MBA in International Management from American Graduate School in 1972, and his Diploma from the United States Naval War College in 1994. His professional experience includes working as a teacher for the University of Arizona from 2002 to 2006 and working as a consultant for American Quality International Consulting from 2002 to 2006. Melvin served as a Captain in the United States Navy from 1997 to 1999 and a Ship’s Officer in the American Maritime Officers from 1999 to 2002.

Melvin’s views on using nuclear power were derided a decade ago as dangerous, but now even the former President of the USA Sierra Club agrees that it is the energy source of the future as an alternative to fossil fuels. (Still waiting for an apology from Sandy Bahr at the Arizona Sierra Club). Melvin was also a strong advocate for a deep-water port at the top of the Gulf of Mexico to engender trade between the US, Mexico and the rest of world.

Politics seldom has leaders who looked over the horizon as presciently as Senator Melvin did. Requiescat In Pace, Senator.