Senators bid fond farewell to Melton, pledge to continue working with new Gary mayor

Melton did not know last April when he walked out of the Senate following adjournment of the 2023 General Assembly that he never would return because he'd be elected mayor of his hometown and have to resign from the Senate to take his new office Jan. 1.

As a result, Melton did not receive the traditional Senate "retirement" ceremony. His former colleagues made it up to him by reminiscing alongside Melton about his time among them and sharing their hopes for his success in returning the Steel City to its former glory.

"Eddie Melton is a good person and I am so glad he has been willing to stand up and take on the challenge of revitalizing Gary, Indiana," said state Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, a Gary native.

"He is giving the citizens of Gary hope. That is going to change what is going on in that city."

Prior to his resignation, Melton was the No. 2 Democrat in the Republican-dominated chamber and a persistent advocate for the needs of Gary and Northwest Indiana as a member of the State Budget Committee.

Nevertheless, senators on both sides of the aisle were quick to describe Melton as a respectful gentleman of integrity willing to work with anyone to try to make a difference.

"You are the embodiment of a public servant," said state Sen. Shelli Yoder, D-Bloomington.

State Sen. Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart, who was elected earlier this month to take Melton's Senate District 3 seat, acknowledged he has big shoes to fill, just as Melton had big shoes to fill in 2016 when he was elected to succeed former state Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary.

"If I can do half as well as this gentleman has done here, I would be thrilled," Vinzant said.

In particular, Melton was praised for his efforts on the exhausting Senate Education Committee, including his work implementing a state-managed restructuring of Gary's public schools that, while often unpopular at home, has put the district back on solid financial footing.

"He genuinely cared about the kids and about education," said state Sen. Jean Leising, R-Oldenburg. "I wish you well as mayor, but you'll always be Senator Melton to me."

Leising wasn't alone in sending Melton, and his wife, Crystal, good wishes as the new mayor undertakes an ambitious 100-day agenda and works to implement a residential, commercial, industrial, transportation and economic renaissance in Gary.

"You just continue to be yourself and you're going to do great things there," said state Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette.

Senate Republican Leader Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, also reminded Melton the Senate is eager to partner with him and the city of Gary to help transform what once was Northwest Indiana's most populous city.

Melton said afterward it was a "bittersweet moment" when he realized the state senator chapter of his life now truly is over. But he's also ready to lead his new team in shifting the narrative on Gary.

"We are the city that helped build this nation," Melton said. "And Gary will be a player in helping to take Indiana to the next level."