Eddie Melton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eddie Melton
Melton in 2023
22nd Mayor of Gary, Indiana
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2024
Preceded by	Jerome Prince
Member of the Indiana Senate from the 3rd district
In office November 9, 2016 – December 5, 2023
Preceded by	Earline S. Rogers
Succeeded by	David Vinzant
Personal details
Born	(1981-01-26) January 26, 1981 (age 44) Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Crystal
Residence	Gary, Indiana
Alma mater	Calumet College of St. Joseph (BS)

Eddie Melton, born in 1981, is an American politician from Indiana. He is currently the 22nd mayor of Gary, Indiana. Melton is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming mayor, he served as a state senator for Indiana's 3rd District. He also holds a leadership role as Deputy Chair of the Indiana Democratic Party. In this role, he works to make sure everyone is treated fairly and included.

About Eddie Melton

Early Life and Education

Eddie Melton grew up in Gary, Indiana. He went to Jefferson Elementary and graduated from Horace Mann High School. He started college at Kentucky State University with a scholarship to play football. While there, he studied business management. He later finished his degree in organizational management at Calumet College of St. Joseph.

Career Before Politics

Before entering politics, Melton worked for NIPSCO. This company provides gas and electricity. He was a manager focusing on how the company connected with local communities. He helped create programs to improve education and job training. He also worked to help people in need get important resources. Melton also helped with the National My Brother's Keeper Initiative. This program was started by former President Barack Obama. He also served on the Indiana State Board of Education.

Family Life

Eddie Melton lives in Gary, Indiana, with his wife, Crystal. They have four children together.

Serving in the State Senate

Becoming a State Senator

In November 2016, Eddie Melton was elected to the Indiana State Senate. He represented District 3, which includes parts of Gary, Indiana and other areas in northwest Indiana. As a senator, he worked with other leaders to solve problems. These problems included school closures, slow economic growth, and public safety issues in his district.

Key Focus Areas

Melton was known for working with politicians from different parties. He focused on getting help for communities that were struggling. These communities were often affected by changes in industries. As a state senator, he helped secure money for projects in northwest Indiana. These projects included improving transportation and rebuilding city areas.

Becoming Mayor of Gary

Running for Mayor in 2023

On November 16, 2022, Eddie Melton announced he would run for mayor of Gary, Indiana. He was the first person to challenge the current mayor, Jerome Prince. Melton became the main challenger. He said that the city needed more progress. Melton and Prince were the only two candidates in the Democratic Primary election.

Winning the Primary Election

On May 2, 2023, Eddie Melton won the Democratic Primary. He defeated Jerome Prince with over 58% of the votes. This win made him the Democratic candidate for mayor. His campaign used the slogan "Gary deserves better NOW." He received support from many people, including members of The Jackson 5 music group. State legislator Earline Rodgers and singer Deniece Williams also supported him. Many union groups also endorsed him.

Winning the General Election

On November 7, 2023, the general election for mayor was held. Eddie Melton ran against Republican candidate Andrew Delano. Melton won the election with over 95% of the votes. He resigned from the State Senate on December 5, 2023. On December 30, 2023, Melton was sworn in as the 22nd mayor of Gary, Indiana. He officially started his term on January 1, 2024.

Mayor of Gary's Initiatives

Starting as Mayor

Mayor Melton was sworn into office on December 30, 2023. The ceremony took place at West Side Leadership Academy. In his speech, he talked about the need for change. He shared his vision for a "greater Gary."

First 100 Days Plan

When he took office on January 1, 2024, Mayor Melton announced his "Leading Gary to Greatness" plan. This plan focused on nine key areas for the city. These areas included improving government, public safety, and economic growth. It also covered education, housing, and community involvement.

Boosting Gary's Economy

In March 2024, Mayor Melton's team worked with Indiana Sugars. This large local company was thinking about moving out of Gary. However, because of Melton's efforts, Indiana Sugars decided to stay. They even bought 70 more acres in Gary.

In March 2024, Melton's administration received a $3 million donation. This money came from Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. It is being used to tear down old and empty buildings in downtown Gary. Mayor Melton also helped Gary Works get a $300 million investment from Nippon Steel.

Improving City Infrastructure

In July 2024, Mayor Melton announced a partnership with Notre Dame School of Architecture. They are working together to rebuild Gary. The goal is to make the economy stronger and create a better downtown area for residents.

In June 2024, Melton started the "Relight the City" program. This plan aims to fix all streetlights in Gary by 2025. The city council set aside $3.5 million for this project. Better street lighting can help reduce crime and road accidents.

In late May 2024, the Melton administration teamed up with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). They formed a task force to stop illegal dumping. The city also received a half-million-dollar grant from IDEM. This money helps clean up illegal dumping sites. Mayor Melton encouraged residents to report illegal dumping by calling the 311 non-emergency line.

How He Won Elections