Eddie Melton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eddie Melton
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Melton in 2023
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| 22nd Mayor of Gary, Indiana | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Jerome Prince |
| Member of the Indiana Senate from the 3rd district |
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| In office November 9, 2016 – December 5, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Earline S. Rogers |
| Succeeded by | David Vinzant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 26, 1981 Gary, Indiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Crystal |
| Residence | Gary, Indiana |
| Alma mater | Calumet College of St. Joseph (BS) |
Eddie Melton was born in 1981 in Gary, Indiana. He is an American politician who serves as the 22nd mayor of Gary, Indiana. Before becoming mayor, he was a state senator for Indiana, representing District 3. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
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About Eddie Melton
Eddie Melton grew up in Gary, Indiana. He went to Jefferson Elementary and then Horace Mann High School. For college, he first went to Kentucky State University on a scholarship to play football. He was a quarterback for the team. While there, he studied business management. He later finished his degree at Calumet College of St. Joseph.
Before becoming a politician, Melton worked for NIPSCO. He was a manager focusing on how the company worked with communities. He also helped with the National My Brother’s Keeper Initiative. This program was started by former President Barack Obama. Melton also served on the Indiana State Board of Education.
In 2016, Melton was elected to the state senate. He later ran for Governor of Indiana in 2019 but ended his campaign in 2020. In November 2020, he became the Assistant Minority Floor Leader in the Indiana Senate. Eddie Melton lives in Gary, Indiana, with his wife, Crystal, and their four children.
His Work as a Leader
Early Career and Community Work
Eddie Melton started his career by helping communities. He worked to make sure everyone had fair chances. At NiSource, he helped connect the company with local people. He created programs to help with education, job training, and getting resources for people who needed them.
Time as a State Senator (2016-2023)
In November 2016, Melton was elected to the Indiana State Senate. He represented District 3, which includes parts of Gary, Indiana. As a state senator, he worked with other leaders to solve problems. These problems included school closures, slow economic growth, and public safety. He was known for working with people from different political parties. He helped get money and support for communities that were struggling.
Melton also focused on improving the economy and environment in northwest Indiana. He helped with transportation projects 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 said that Gary needed more progress. He and Prince were the only two candidates in the Democratic Primary election.
On May 2, 2023, Eddie Melton won the Democratic Primary. He received over 58% of the votes. This meant he would be the Democratic candidate for mayor.
Melton's Campaign Ideas
Melton's campaign used the slogan “Gary deserves better NOW.” He received support from famous people and groups. These included members of The Jackson 5, state legislator Earline Rodgers, and singer Deniece Williams. Many union groups also supported him.
Winning the General Election
The general election for mayor was held on November 7, 2023. Eddie Melton ran against Republican candidate Andrew Delano. Melton won the election with over 95% of the votes.
After winning, Melton left his job as a State Senator on December 5, 2023. On December 30, 2023, he was officially sworn in as the 22nd mayor of Gary, Indiana. He started his term on January 1, 2024.
Mayor of Gary (2024-Present)
Starting as Mayor
Mayor Melton was sworn into office at West Side Leadership Academy. In his speech, he talked about bringing change to Gary. He shared his vision for a "greater Gary."
First 100 Days as Mayor
When he started on January 1, 2024, Mayor Melton announced his "Leading Gary to Greatness" plan. This plan focused on nine important areas for the city. These included improving government, public safety, and economic growth. It also covered education, housing, arts, and community involvement.
Helping Gary's Economy
On March 7, 2024, Mayor Melton's team worked with Indiana Sugars. This large local company wanted to expand. With Melton's help, Indiana Sugars stayed in Gary. They even bought 70 more acres of land in the city.
In March 2024, Melton's team received a $3 million donation. This money came from Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. It will be used to tear down old, empty buildings in downtown Gary. 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 will work together to rebuild Gary. This project aims to boost the economy and make downtown better for residents.
In June 2024, Melton started the "Relight the City" program. This plan will 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 accidents.
In May 2024, Melton's team created a task force. This group works with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and police. Their goal is to stop illegal dumping. The city also received a $500,000 grant from IDEM to help clean up these sites. Mayor Melton asked residents to report illegal dumping by calling the 311 non-emergency line.
